East Bengal coach Subhas Bhowmick has taken an indirect dig at Bhaichung Bhutia, saying the India skipper is yet to reach the age of maturity.
East Bengal coach Subhas Bhowmick has taken an indirect dig at Bhaichung Bhutia, saying the India skipper is yet to reach the age of maturity.
ADVERTISEMENT
Reacting to Bhutia's comments that Indian coaches have a mental block when it comes to getting a licence that has been made mandatory, Bhowmick said, "He (Bhutia) has still not reached that age (of maturity)."
"As per research, one attains maturity when you attain at least 40 years old. In Indian football, Bhutia is an iconic player. He is extremely serious and dedicated to his job. So it's better to ignore some of his comments completely," Bhowmick said after returning from their exposure trip to Myanmar yesterday.
For the upcoming season, Bhutia has signed up with East Bengal and awaiting the AIFF to solve his impasse with Mohun Bagan and Bhowmick said it would be the Indian captain's "bad luck" if he gets to play under a licence-less coach.
"Most Indian coaches like Shabbir Ali, Subrata Bhattacharya and Sukhwinder Singh have licences. But I don't hold one. If Bhutia is allowed to play for East Bengal, then it would be his bad luck to play under a licence-less coach," he said.
Bhutia had earlier said: "It is a pity our coaches have a mental block. You might have played with distinction for India but that does not mean the licence is not necessary. Coaching has evolved for the last few decades. The AFC is not stupid to introduce a licensing system."
But Bhowmick said, "You can always apply for a licence but I have my way of doing it. I get myself updated by reading books, watching CDs."
The AFC has asked the AIFF to make it mandatory for I-League coaches to have an AFC - A licence and had set an August 31 deadline, failing which the I-League might lose it's professional status and thus Indian teams would not be allowed for the AFC Champions League. Bhowmick is the only I-League coach without a licence.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
