XtraTime Web Desk: East Bengal gaffer Alejandro Menendez Garcia – the biggest heart-throb for the Red and Gold fans these days is celebrating his 52nd birthday today. In his opening season with the Red and Gold brigade, he entertained all the Indian football fans with some captivating attacking football. On his auspicious birthday, lets take a round of his glorious career.
During his tenure at Real Madrid Castilla, several promising youngsters turned into superstars like Alvaro Morata, Dani Carvajal, Marcos Alonso, Nacho and Denis Cheryshev. Interestingly, Bengaluru FC defender Juanan Gonzalez played under him during that period at Castilla.
It must be remembered that Menendez had replaced current Real Madrid and former Spain national team coach Julen Lopetegui at Real Madrid Castilla’s helm of affairs. Lopetegui used to manage the side from 2008-09.
During his time as Castilla’s head coach, Menendez had also worked as one of the assistants to then Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho for a season.
He has also the experience of managing top Asian clubs like Thai Premier League’s Buriram United. He was in charge of the club from 2013 to 2014 where he won a record number of five domestic competitions, the Thai Premier League, Thai FA Cup, Thai League Cup, Kor Royal Cup, Toyota Premier Cup.
Menendez was also in charge of Buriram in the 2014 AFC Champions League. The had played against top clubs from Japan, South Korea and China and bowed out of the group stage after finishing third in their group.
The 52-year-old coach brings with him a vast experience of managing top quality players which will benefit the Indian players of East Bengal. His presence in the East Bengal dressing room magnifies the club’s stature further.
The East Bengal investors have already extended his contract with the side and the vision is of course to promote more and more young talents like Jobby Justin, Manoj Mohammad and Samad Ali Mullick. May his birthday be safe and healthy.