By Soumo Ghosh
AIFF Media Team

KOLKATA: A distinguished name in Kolkata football, Sankarlal Chakraborty has now joined Mohammedan SC as the new Technical Director and with the 2020-21 season of the Hero I-League looming large on the horizon, Chakraborty takes a look at the challenges ahead for him and his new club in a chat with i-league.org. EXCERPTS:

How does it feel to be back in the Hero I-League and taking up a new role at Mohammedan SC?

Those that have played or coached at any of these Kolkata giants, know that there’s a certain pulse running through them. There’s always a buzz around the players and coaches of such clubs, and the Kolkata Maidan provides the perfect platform for that. It is also a test of one’s character.

There will always be pressure on you. But those that can take that pressure and work towards their goals as a challenge, they are the ones who do well. My new role at Mohammedan is a challenge for me. Looking forward to it.

You have been a coach at the top level for some time. How different will the role of a Technical Director be for you?

This is a huge role for me. I’ve never been a Technical Director before, so on a personal level, it will be a challenge. But I will try to take my own approach to this role. The coach Jose Hevia has already been there, and I’ve had a word with him.

He’s been taking a lot of inputs and dealing with the current situation where he is trying to get the team ready for the upcoming season. I have also given him my own inputs, and we are looking forward to working together in the upcoming campaign.

What goal has the club set for the new season?

For a big club like Mohammedan Sporting, we believe that our target should always be to win the trophy. We have to plan it all out together. First and foremost, we have to explain the equation to the players as well, that we need to finish in the top six first, in order to challenge for the title. So we need to go one step at a time.

The players will also be under some pressure once the tournament gets underway. So we need to explain the importance of playing at this level for this club. They also need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of every opposition, so that we can go into every match with clear minds. We need to be prepared for everything.

How do you plan to keep the spirits high at a time when everyone will have to operate from within the confines of a bio-secure bubble?

It is a tough situation indeed. Planning what we want to do on the pitch is a different thing. That is something that we all have been doing for years, and it would never change. But staying within the bubble for three months will not be easy for any individual.

We have already begun counselling the players, we talk to them about their problems and issues they may be facing, and try to find solutions for them as well. The effort, basically, is to make them feel at ease within the bubble, so that they can go out there and perform on the pitch with a free mind.

Any message for the Mohammedan Sporting fans?

Yes, I’ve been receiving a lot of phone calls and messages – “Dada, please help us (win the Hero I-League).” I would like to say to the fans to keep supporting us, and be by our side like you have always been. There are ups and downs in football, much like in life.

We are all about to embark on a difficult journey, so your love and support will make that journey that much better for us. I know you cannot come to watch the team from the stadium right now, but we need all your love and support in difficult times like these. Thank you.