A coach less ordinary

“I took it as a challenge. It’s a job for every coach to fight in adversity and I have always believed that big names were not important to build a team. Good performance is all about team work and team spirit.

I was happy to make do with the Bagan and East Bengal discards. But eventually the club got a new sponsor and we were able to build a decent squad,” Sen told The Sunday Express. United Sports are widely regarded as the supply line for Bengal football and Sen is perfectly fit for such an outfit. He has the experience of coaching the U-16 and U-19 national teams and loves to work with the juniors.

“I have worked under Colin Toal in the junior national teams and have been impressed by his methods. But at the end of the day it’s the players who need to perform and they deserve the credit.” Maidan is a difficult place for a coach,especially for someone without a big-club background as a footballer. Sen,who works for the Indian Railways,has played all his life for Railways Football Club. He was a capable defender and could have pursued a career in a big club. But coming from a family of eight brothers and six sisters,he decided not to take the risk as it would have meant losing his job with the Railways.

“I admit it’s very difficult to find a footing in the Maidan if you are not known by the powers-that-be who control the show. But I don’t have any regret for not getting an opportunity for Bagan or East Bengal. Also,as a coach I don’t think my career would be hampered if I don’t get a chance to coach these clubs. I am an AFC ‘A’ licence holder and am satisfied with my present job. Everyone wants to move up the ladder and my ultimate ambition is to coach the senior national team,” says Sen. Success is often measured in numbers. But with this affable coach,it’s about making positive contribution. And he has contributed a great deal to help United Sports make their presence felt in Indian football. “Before the start of the season I told the boys that they had to win against big teams to earn respect. And the boys have responded magnificently.”