XtraTime Web Desk: Ex Ireland international Curtis Fleming has been appointed as the Head Coach for Punjab FC. 51 year old Fleming, who had coaching stints with Premier League sides Queens Park Rangers, Bolton and Middlesbrough will perhaps, is the most high profile coach in the I League.
Fleming has been working in India as a coach with Punjab since September 2019 but the club, who plays in India’s second tier, have now appointed him as first team manager for the 2020/21 season.
The Dubliner shared his excitement on twitter about coaching Punjab FC.
He tweeted, “I’m looking forward to getting back out to the Punjab and the season ahead with @RGPunjabFC.”
Fleming started his coaching career at Crystal Palace and was made interim boss in 2012 following the departure of Dougie Freedman. However, four months down the line he left Palace for Bolton as first-team coach to reunite and play second fiddle to Freedman once more.
Fleming then decided to hone his skills as an assistant manager with stints at Hartlepool United and Queens Park Rangers between 2016 and 2018.
The former defender has played more than 300 matches for Middlesbrough during a 10 year spell. He was part of the squad that reached the League Cup final twice. In 1997, Fleming helped Boro reach the FA Cup final but succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Chelsea at Wembley.
Punjab FC, who finished third in last season’s I-League, is now owned by RoundGlass Sports after taking over from Ranit Bajaj.