Carles Cuadrat is hired by East Bengal FC as their new head coach on a two-year deal.

The Kolkata giants announced on Tuesday, April 25, that Carles Cuadrat has been hired by East Bengal FC as their new head coach on a two-year contract.After parting ways with their previous leader Stephen Constantine, the Red and Gold Brigade gave hiring a new head coach first priority. They were keen to obtain Sergio Lobera's signature. Reports indicate that the Spaniard may have other priorities, though.

"I am honoured to have been chosen to lead Emami East Bengal for the upcoming two years as their head coach. It's really thrilling that a team with such a rich history and so many championships in Indian football has given me the chance to advance the team's mission.

"I am thrilled to return to India, a nation I adore and where I have experienced many joyous occasions. With the club's enormous global fan base, I shall exert all of my effort to create fresh occasions for joy. I also wish to see Red & Gold-filled stadium stands.

History of Carles Cuadrat

Former Spanish professional football player turned coach Carles Cuadrat is well known for his tactical mastery and technical understanding of the game. Cuadrat, who was born in Sabadell, Spain, on May 23, 1968, is most known for his time as Bengaluru FC's head coach in the Indian Super League (ISL). As a member of FC Barcelona's youth academy, Cuadrat began his football career in its early stages. He tried out for the first squad but was unsuccessful, therefore he transferred to other Spanish clubs including UE Lleida and CE Sabadell. He signed on with the Spanish team Terrassa FC in 1993, where he played as a defender for five seasons before quitting in 1998.

Cuadrat began a teaching career after his playing days were over and was hired as an assistant coach at Barcelona's junior programme. Later, he worked as an assistant coach for a number of different teams, including RCD Espanyol, UE Figueres, and Terrassa FC. Cuadrat was chosen to serve as Bengaluru FC's assistant coach in 2013, the year the team had just been established. He collaborated with Bengaluru FC's then-head coach Ashley Westwood and was a key contributor to their success, as they won two I-League championships in their first two seasons.

Cuadrat was elevated to the position of head coach after Westwood left the organisation in 2016. In the 2018–19 ISL season, Bengaluru FC won their first championship under his direction by defeating FC Goa in the championship game. Throughout the entire season, Cuadrat's team played attractive offensive football, demonstrating his mastery of strategy. Cuadrat's time as the head coach of Bengaluru FC was distinguished by his talent for getting the most from his players and his focus on technical skill and possession-based game. He was renowned for his thorough planning, attention to detail, and capacity for flexibility during matches.

Beyond his accomplishments as Bengaluru FC's head coach, Carles Cuadrat has made a significant contribution to Indian football. He was in charge of fostering the growth of grassroots football in India while working as the technical director for the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Cuadrat thought it was crucial to develop fresh talent and establish a lasting football culture in India. He was instrumental in creating the AIFF's scouting network, which located and attracted young players from all around the nation. Additionally, he collaborated closely with numerous football academies and assisted them in implementing cutting-edge training strategies.

Despite his success with Bengaluru FC, Cuadrat was fired in November 2020 as a result of a streak of subpar games. He is recognised as one of the most successful coaches in Indian football history, and his legacy at the club is still intact. In conclusion, Carles Cuadrat's football career has been distinguished by his technical knowledge, tactical skill, and capacity to extract the greatest performance out of his players. His tenure as Bengaluru FC's head coach was a monument to his coaching prowess, and the club will remember him for years to come.