He’s Been A Rock By Albert Roca’s Side And A Favourite In The Stands For The Blues, But A Knee Condition Has Forced Carles Cuadrat To Step Aside From His Role As Assistant Coach At Bengaluru FC. The Spaniard Has Nothing But Happy Memories About His Time At A Club He Gave To And Got So Much From…
On the decision to step aside…
Bengaluru has been a like a family from the first moment. So many came from different places to stay and work here. There were special moments where we became champions of the Federation Cup and we reached the final of the AFC Cup. It has been a wonderful time but it has been cut short because of a problem in my knee. I’ve already had four surgeries on my left knee and the effects of one these operations has left me with a virus in the knee which, if not taken care of, can prove to be serious.
We had landed in Pune for the away game and I had to fly back the same day for an operation. I will now have to spend the next two months in recovery. I sat with the club management we decided that it is best I take a step aside given how packed the fixture calendar is. I won’t be able to give the team and myself one hundred percent. We are a professional team and need all hands on the deck at all times, which is why I have taken this decision.
On the disappointment of cutting short a stint that had so much promise…
These things happen in football and in life. You have plan one moment and it changes the next. The important thing is that the new coach coming in has the same philosophy and has a similar background to Albert’s and mine, so it’s not going to change too much at the club. I’m certain he will help the club realise its objectives.
The memories made with Bengaluru FC and the future for the club…
I have quite a few memories that I will keep with me from my time in Bengaluru FC. I’m really happy to see how far the club has come in such a short time. When we arrived here, we came for the start of the I-League and the quarterfinal of a competition where no Indian club has made it to the final. So to see such a young club, take such strides in a short time is very heartening. We won the Federation Cup, set foot in the ISL and for the second successive season have been considered among the top 50 clubs in the continent – looking back at all this, I can only smile. There is a big future for the club and with Indian football developing every day, Bengaluru will always be considered as one of the top teams in the country.
A word on the fans who have always had a special place for you in their hearts…
My relationship with the fans was a very nice one right from the start. Sometimes Albert used to joke how this is the only stadium in the world where the assistant gets a clapped for! They realise that they are making an effort to help the team from outside of the pitch. And if the club keeps playing quality football, the support will only increase. I genuinely appreciate the love of the fans.
Is there anything about Bengaluru city that you will miss?
I’m surely not going to miss the hospital! But yes, everything and everyone has been very nice to us from the first day. I will surely come back here one day, to taste the spicy food, if not anything else!
