Thangboi Singto Named East Bengal’s Head of Football Amid Rebuild Effort

East Bengal has appointed Thangboi Singto as its new Head of Football, the club confirmed on Wednesday, marking a significant move as the storied Kolkata club looks to rebuild after a disappointing 2024–25 Indian Super League (ISL) season.

The 50-year-old Singto, a seasoned figure in Indian football, was most recently the head coach of Hyderabad FC (HFC). However, his stint came to an abrupt end mid-season following a string of poor performances. The Nizams had suffered their eighth loss in 11 matches with a defeat to Chennaiyin FC, prompting a mutual parting of ways.

Singto initially joined HFC in 2019 and played a key role in building the club’s footballing structure, serving as assistant coach and Technical Director (Youth) before being promoted to the top job in July 2023. Prior to his time in Hyderabad, he had spells as Assistant Manager at Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters, and also led Shillong Lajong as head coach for four years, helping nurture numerous young talents during his tenure.

East Bengal’s men’s team endured a challenging season, finishing ninth in the ISL table with 28 points from 24 matches. The club failed to qualify for the playoffs and also bowed out of the Super Cup in the opening round after a defeat to Kerala Blasters. The management, under head coach Oscar Bruzon, faced criticism for the team’s inconsistency and lack of cutting edge in crucial fixtures.

Singto’s appointment is expected to bring structure and long-term planning to East Bengal’s football operations. His deep understanding of Indian football and player development will be key as the club looks to reinvigorate its squad and climb the ISL ladder next season.

While the men’s side struggled, East Bengal’s women’s team brought a ray of hope to the club’s supporters. Under new head coach Anthony Andrews, the women’s team secured its first-ever Indian Women’s League title and earned a spot in the upcoming AFC Women’s Champions League. This success has highlighted the growing potential of the club’s women’s football program.

With Singto now at the helm of East Bengal’s overall footballing strategy, the club hopes to build on the women’s team’s momentum and chart a stronger, more consistent path forward for the men’s side.