Jose Ramirez Barreto
Interview ~ Sportskeeda 14/07/11
Barreto will be providing the local insight to the franchise’s Spanish head coach Antonio Lopez Habas and the legendary forward can’t wait to start this new chapter of his life.
Barreto: I won’t be playing but it would still be a football-related job. It is going to be very exciting because the ISL has all the ingredients to take Indian football to the next level. The involvement of a big football brand like Atletico Madrid is immense for the league because they are so professional, giving importance to every minute detail. It is an honour to be part of Atletico de Kolkata and also puts responsibility on my shoulders but hopefully my experience in Indian football will be useful.
Barreto is convinced that the new league will provide the sport in the country a new lease of life and expects better turnouts in the venues compared to the I-League.
Barreto: Yes I fully expect the ISL to be successful. It will provide the big push that Indian football needed because big clubs, corporates are all coming together and there will also be a dedicated grassroots development program. I believe the response from the people will also be greater than it is for the I-League. I just wish this started a few years earlier then I might have been able to play in it.
Barreto inevitably also had to give his reaction on his home country’s traumatic 1-7 defeat against Germany in the 2014 FIFA World Cup semi-final.
Barreto: It was embarrassing and the entire squad should be held responsible. They didn’t play the way it was necessary and the coach also got his tactics wrong. But one defeat won’t stop the football in Brazil. Of course some changes are needed but not too many. What this loss will do is act as a lesson and perhaps this could be the start of a new beginning in Brazilian football.
Link: https://in.news.yahoo.com/wish-isl-started-few-years-124559451.html
