East Bengal Appoints Oscar Bruzon as Head Coach Amid Struggles in ISL

East Bengal FC has appointed Oscar Bruzon as its new head coach, replacing fellow Spaniard Carles Cuadrat, the club announced on Tuesday. Bruzon returns to the Indian Super League (ISL) after nearly a decade, his last stint being as an assistant manager at Mumbai City FC under Nicolas Anelka. He most recently coached Bangladesh’s top-flight side Bashundhara Kings, parting ways with them in July 2024.

Bruzon succeeds Cuadrat, who resigned on September 30 after a series of poor results, despite delivering East Bengal’s first trophy in 12 years with the Kalinga Super Cup. The team lost five consecutive games, a first in its history, including a crucial AFC Champions League playoff defeat. Cuadrat’s final match saw East Bengal fall 2-3 at home against FC Goa, which increased pressure from the club’s supporters.

The decision to appoint Bruzon came after consultations with several coaches with ISL experience, including former Bengaluru FC head coach Albert Roca. Bruzon’s track record, particularly his success in Bangladesh and the Maldives, made him a standout choice. 

The 47-year-old won seven trophies with Bashundhara Kings, including four consecutive Bangladesh Premier League titles, and secured four titles with Maldivian side New Radiant SC.

Bruzon expressed his eagerness to turn things around at East Bengal. “As we are currently in the middle of our Indian domestic season, we are already working to implement the best and most suitable training processes and tactical formations in order to help our players reach their peak form and instil a winning mentality to win as many games as possible,” he said in a club-issued statement.

East Bengal currently sits at the bottom of the ISL standings and has been struggling even under interim coach Bino George, losing 0-2 to Jamshedpur FC in their most recent match on October 5. Bruzon faces a daunting challenge ahead, with his first game being the Kolkata Derby against reigning ISL champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant, who recently defeated Mohammedan Sporting 3-0 in just 36 minutes.

However, Bruzon has a strong history against Mohun Bagan, having led his former side Bashundhara Kings to one win and a draw in two encounters during the AFC Cup last season. East Bengal fans will be hoping that he can deliver similar results in his ISL comeback.