MARGAO
Bibiano Fernandes says the opportunity to manage Bengaluru FC's reserve team on a three-year deal is a huge honour and expressed his thanks for being appointed to the position.
Bibiano, who turned out for Churchill Brothers, Dempo SC, Sporting Clube de Goa and East Bengal, in a playing career that spanned over 15 years, led the India U15s to a SAFF Championship title in 2017 and in 2018, while the India U16s reached the AFC U16 Championship quarterfinals under his reign.
"With regards to the fans, I want to promise them that we will give our best. I cannot promise results but we will compete for all the titles and give our best, because we are the best team," Bibiano told 'The Goan'.
“I am very grateful to the president of the club, the management and the players for their trust in me."
Bibiano is the only Indian coach to have got the Indian team a step away from qualifying for the U-17 World Cup, and after having nurtured football talent from U-13 till U-17 for eight years, the maestro is changing teams.
"I think it’s an added advantage that I know the players, the club, and they and I will start applying my ideas. Everyone knows that I love attacking football and keeping possession of the ball; doing that from the start will be a great feeling.
"My immediate task will be Durand Cup as I have players from junior and senior teams and perform better," he said.
Asked whether he had any regrets on parting with the junior national team, Fernandes said, " I have worked with three batches in the national team and have no regrets."
Expressing his delight at joining Bengaluru FC, Fernandes said, "I am very proud and it’s very exciting that a club which has won so many trophies in Indian football has given me an opportunity to drive the club’s vision forward.
"I have had many happy moments. I will work with all my might to create new moments of happiness with the huge fan base of the club across the globe and hope to witness the stands at the stadiums filled with Blues."
