JOSE RAMIREZ BARRETO
PRE-ISL
Barreto was born in Porto Alegre, Brazil, 1976. He left home at an early age of 15 years to play football in the capital. From 15 to 22, he developed his career at the academy at Grêmio, although he never played any matches for the Brazilian team.
Barreto arrived to India 1999 and has mostly played for Mohun Bagan since then, except for short spells with Penang FA and Mahindra United. With over 300 games in the I-League and more than 160 goals Barreto is widely
considered as the finest foreign player to have played in India. He has become a model footballer with his performance on & off the pitch. His skill, finishing, leadership and ability to come down in defense to help, coupled with humble nature, has endeared him to thousands of football fans, irrespective of the club they support. He is considered as the best foreign football players in the history of Indian Club football and worshiped like a living legend.
He played his last two seasons in Bhawanipore in I-League 2nd Division before he announced his retirement from football in May, 2014.
ISL
Right after his retirement from football, Barreto was contacted by Atletico Kolkata regarding a possible role as an assistant coach. The brazilian was hired as Antonio López Habas consultant and Barreto descbribed the opportunity as a perfect chance to launch his coaching career.
As Habas had poor knowledge about the Indian league, Barreto was an important intermediary between Habas and the Indian football, and thus formed a perfect partnership. He stated that he believed that the ISL could be a great success and hoped the new project could draw some big crowds to the Indian football scene.
During the midst of October, 2014, Atlético de Kolkata coach Habas was given a two match ban for pushing Robert Pires in the player tunnel in a game against FC Goa. Because of this Barreto led Kolkata in the two following matches against Kerala Blasters and Chennaiyin.
Along with Habas, Barreto led Atletico Kolkata to win the first edition of the Indian Super League. Barreto had some impact in the win against Kerala Blasters in the final, as it was his draft-picked player Mohammed Rafique who scored the winning goal.
TIMELINE COACHING CAREER
14 -
Atl. Kolkata
QUOTES & INTERVIEWS
July 11, 2014 - "I wish ISL started a few years earlier; then I might have been able to play in it...(click for more)" [SPORTSKEEDA]
July 19, 2014 - "Atlético de Kolkata for me will be a really great experience and I just expect to be learning a lot and grow a lot...(click for more)" [ATLÉTICO DE KOLKATA YOUTUBE]
July 22, 2014 - "ISL will make people fans of Indian players...(click for more)" [ISL OFFICIAL]
August 22, 2014 - "We picked these players not just because they are Spanish but because they are extremely good players. Having Spanish players, will make communicating easy. We should not have a problem with the language." [TIMES OF INDIA]
December 21, 2014 - "We started earlier than anyone and it was a great decision by the management and the people of Atletico Madrid...(click for more)" [GOAL]
