Jose Ramirez Barreto
Interview ~ Goal 14/12/21
Barreto came under heavy criticism post the domestic player draft for overlooking the likes of Mehtab Hossain and Syed Rahim Nabi. It turned out to be an absolute masterstroke from Barreto.
Barreto: It's not that you will get all the players you would like to have in the drafts. So we have to work in accordance with the system in the draft. I think we got important players. I think all of them also gave their best.
Barreto: I tried to choose the players the way the coach (Antonio Habas) had chosen the Spanish players. I wanted to follow the similar line. I wanted to pick Bengali players who are already recognized by people and who have potential. That was very important.
The association with Atletico de Madrid of Spain was always going to be a fruitful one, with Barreto also appreciating their support.
Barreto: Yes, we had started earlier than anyone and it was a great decision by the management and the people of Atletico Madrid. Things started from there. Of course we faced a lot of problems during the league but we were like a team especially from those days (training) in Madrid.
Barreto had the last laugh over all his detractors as Rafique, his pick from the domestic draft scored the winning goal in the final.
Barreto: When Rafique was in (Prayag) United also, I saw him always going close to the goal. He is a great buy for East Bengal. I am very fond of him as he is a boy who never gives up and also has the quality. I talked to Habas also about him but the coach was taking his own decisions. Finally today Rafique got a chance and (he) scored.
Link: http://m.goal.com/s/en-india/news/7276742/
