Singto's rescue mission for fallen giants | OneFootball

East Bengal have appointed Thangboi Singto as their new Head of Football, marking a fresh direction for the Kolkata-based club following a disappointing 2023-24 campaign.

The 50-year-old joins East Bengal after most recently serving as Hyderabad FC's head coach during the 2023-24 Indian Super League season. Singto departed Hyderabad midway through the campaign after a difficult run that saw the team suffer eight defeats in 11 league matches, with his final game being a loss to Chennaiyin FC.

Before taking the head coach position at Hyderabad, Singto had been an integral part of the club's structure for nearly a decade, working as both an assistant coach and Technical Director for youth development.

The appointment comes as East Bengal look to rebuild after a frustrating season in which they finished ninth in the ISL table, accumulating 28 points from 24 matches and failing to qualify for the playoffs. Their disappointment extended to cup competitions, where Oscar Bruzon's side saw their Super Cup title defense end prematurely with a knockout by Kerala Blasters in their opening match.

Singto brings considerable experience to the role, having previously served as assistant manager at both Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters. He also spent four years as manager of Shillong Lajong, establishing himself as a respected figure in Indian football.

While the men's team struggled last season, East Bengal's women's team provided a bright spot for the club, securing their first-ever Indian Women's League title under head coach Anthony Andrews. This success has earned them a place in the upcoming AFC Women's Champions League.

The appointment of Singto signals East Bengal's intent to strengthen their football operations and improve their competitive standing ahead of the new season.

Source: SportStar