After two defeats, pressure on Carles Cuadrat to turn the season around for East Bengal

After two defeats, pressure on Carles Cuadrat to turn the season around for East Bengal: The ISL 2024-25 has kicked off, with two rounds already played. For the first time, all three Kolkata giants are competing in the ISL. The current league shield winners and one of the three Kolkata giants, Mohun Bagan SG, started their campaign with a 2-2 draw and followed it up with a win in a 5-goal thriller against Northeast United FC, thereby exacting their revenge for the 2024 Durand Cup final. Another Kolkata team, Mohammedan SC, began their campaign with a defeat, but their performance was widely praised. In their next game against FC Goa, they secured one point after Armando Sadiku equalized for Goa in the dying moments of the match. On the other hand, East Bengal FC, the third Kolkata giant and one of the most successful clubs in India, is yet to earn a point.

East Bengal’s history in the ISL has not been impressive, with their positions always in the bottom half of the table. However, when former ISL-winning manager Carles Cuadrat became their new head coach, the scenario began to change. Emami East Bengal FC finished as runners-up in the 2023 Durand Cup and went on to win the Kalinga Super Cup 2024, ending a 12-year streak without a national-level tournament victory.

Shortly after their Super Cup triumph, one of their key midfielders, Borja Herrera, left midseason for FC Goa, leaving the team looking disorganized. Soon after, hopes of qualifying for the ISL knockouts faded, and East Bengal finished 8th in the ISL.

The management and coaching staff promised to build a stronger team. To fulfill that promise, they signed last season’s top assist provider, Madih Talal, and top scorer, Dimitrios Diamantakos. In addition to these marquee signings, both Indian and foreign players were recruited. The management also shocked everyone by signing national team defender Anwar Ali from their arch-rivals, Mohun Bagan SG, on a five-year contract. On paper, the team looked excellent.

East Bengal’s Durand Cup campaign started well, but they unexpectedly lost to I-League side Shillong Lajong FC in the quarter-finals, drawing heavy criticism for their performance. Supporters were left speechless by the team’s lackluster display. Around the same time, East Bengal also lost to Altyn Asyr of Turkmenistan in their AFC Cup preliminary round match. Although the game featured controversial refereeing decisions, Carles Cuadrat’s tactics and substitution choices were questioned. The losing streak has continued into the ISL, with East Bengal FC losing both of their opening two games, leaving supporters losing faith in Cuadrat.

No one can understand how a team with such talented players could perform so poorly. While most supporters still back the coach and believe that changing him would be a mistake, patience is wearing thin. Fans are questioning why players like Provat Lakra and Debjit Majumder have not been given a chance and what has caused the sharp decline in Nandhakumar’s performance. Fitness levels have also come under scrutiny from supporters, pundits, and former players.

East Bengal FC’s next match is against FC Goa on September 27th at their home ground, VYBK, and it will be a crucial game for both the team and the coach. Pressure is mounting on Cuadrat. Ever since the Spanish manager arrived in India, he and the team have been showered with love and respect by the fans. Now, it’s time for Cuadrat and his team to repay that support, and the only way to do that is with a win against FC Goa.