Atletico De Kolkata to get fighting spirit from cancer fighter coach Jose Molina

Atletico De Kolkata launched their new kit in front of their new coach Jose Molina. ATK
Atletico De Kolkata launched their new kit in front of their new coach Jose Molina. ATK

Kolkata: A man who fought cancer and got back to football can be the best inspiration for any football team. When it is the case of Atletico De Kolkata then it will definitely work as booster as they have not missed any final of ISL.

Jose Francisco Molina, who fought a disease named cancer during his playing days, is now the coach of ATK. Apart from his tactics and coaching the fighting spirit of the coach is going to influence the players obviously.

After Antonio Lopez Habas left Atletico De Kolkata the team management brought Molina as the coach. The 45year former goalkeeper of Spain may be young as a coach but he is old enough in life experience. During 2002 when he was the goalkeeper of Deportivo La Coruna he announced of his testicular cancer. After treatment and even surgery he returned to football as a goalkeeper. Then he joined Levante UD, the then first division club of Spain.

However, this was the last club for Molina as a goalkeeper. He started his coaching career in 2009-10. Even Molina gets strength from his past struggle. “Your past experience always helps you in your life. I’ve gone through a difficult phase and overcome it. Hopefully I inspire the team to win again,” the ATK head coach said.

ATK should be in pressure ahead of the third session as they are the champions of first session and runner up of the second session. This time they will fight for the past glory. The head coach wants to make the team strong enough for that target. “Yes, there will be pressure but that’s your role as a coach. I want to make ATK the strongest team in the league. I have seen footage of some of the players and will learn about them more during our month-long camp in Madrid from August 22”, said Molina.

Jose Molina feels that previous coach Antonio Habas has done a great job for the side. He said, “I am putting into the footsteps of Habas but to me it is not an added pressure. I am here to prove myself and make the inaugural ISL champions regain their crown once again.”

According to Jose Molina Chennaiyin FC is the toughest opponent in the tournament. He said, “Chennaiyin FC is a compact side for the last two editions and very tough to beat. But I am the coach of the best side in the ISL.”

He had taken the simple strategy of winning. He said, “The idea is to strike a balance between the attack and the defense.” This is the second visit of the Spanish coach to Kolkata. He visited here with Kitchee, the club of Hong Kong where he was a coach. The team played against East Bengal in their AFC Cup match in Kolkata.