KOLKATA: Former Indian Super League winner Dimas Delgado will join East Bengal FC as an assistant to new head coach and fellow Spaniard Carles Cuadrat.
Confirming the news, Emami East Bengal FC said on Wednesday that the 40-year-old Delgado has signed up with the Kolkata team on a two-year contract.
“I got my coaching licenses while playing in Spain. I wanted to get into coaching and
I have tried to learn from all the coaches I’ve had in my professional career. Now that my professional playing career is over, I feel it’s an amazing opportunity for me to be at a club like East Bengal and work alongside Coach Carles and Coach Bino, who have immense knowledge and experience. I’ve played under him in the past and we share a common philosophy and understanding of the game,” Delgado, a UEFA A license holder, was quoted as saying in a club statement.
Delgado as a player won the ISL championship in the 2018-19 season while playing for Bengaluru FC, which was managed by Cuadrat at the time.
A product of the FC Gramenet academy, Delgado was also part of Pep Guardiola’s FC Barcelona B from 2006 to 2008 before joining CD Numancia, where he made his La Liga debut in 2008. He played for Bengaluru FC from 2017 to 2021.
“I have played in India before, so I have a fair idea of the competitiveness in Indian
football. East Bengal is a historic club with a legacy of over 100 years. I am proud to be associated with this great club. I can’t wait to see the passionate Red & Gold fans,” Delgado said.
