Former Bangladesh and Muktijoddha Sangsad coach George Kotan arrived on Monday morning to take charge of Abahani Limited and said that he is delighted to be back to his ‘second home’.
Kotan, who guided Bangladesh to their maiden SAFF Championship title at home in 2003, also said apart from coaching Abahani he is also ready help the Bangladesh national team, if required.
Before taking the charge of Abahani, Kotan was the manager of third tier German club, Kuten Grun, for the last five months. He also worked as an AFC instructor for three years.
The 68-year-old Hungarian said he became interested to take charge of four-time professional league champions Abahani as he has many friends in the club who have requested him to join here.
‘I came back to my second home because my friends of Abahani called me. But if needed, I can help the national team along with Abahani, even though no one from the Bangladesh Football Federation called me,’ said Kotan.
‘I know about current state of Bangladesh football only through some news and results from the FIFA and AFC websites. But when Rupu (Abahani manager Satyajit Das) called me, I said I can come after November 29th,’
The Hungarian also coached Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra for two seasons though he could not win any silverware for the side.
Kotan thinks that there is a gulf difference between Abahani and Muktijoddha.
‘Muktijoddha is not a powerhouse, but Abahani is. I know the standard of Abahani and I think everyone in South Asia know about them,’ he said.
‘So, when I am taking charge of Abahani, my target is to make them become champions again,’ said Kotan at a press-briefing.
Kotan however is aware that Abahani lost much of its glory in the recent time and could not win any trophy in the last two seasons, dominated by Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell.
Kotan attended his first training session with his new club in the afternoon.
The sky-blues have begun their preparation for the pre-season on a wrong foot as they were eliminated from the group stage of the King’s Cup in Bhutan last month.
But the Hungarian believes that a few good foreign signings could change the whole scenario of the club.
‘From what I have heard from officials, this team is not bad,’ he said. ‘We just need a few good players in different positions.
‘If our players can adapt to playing both short play and long play, they can improve 30 to 40 per cent,’ he added.
-With New Age input
