ISL 2021-22: SC East Bengal announce former Chelsea coaching staff Leslie Cleevely as goalkeeper coach

Leslie Cleevely has been named as the goalkeeper coach of SC East Bengal ahead of ISL 2021-22 season.

Xtra Time Web Desk: SC East Bengal on Sunday announce former Chelsea coaching staff Leslie Cleevely as goalkeeper coach of the team ahead of Hero ISL season 2021-22. Cleevely joins head coach Manuel ‘Manolo’ Diaz’s coaching team after a successful stint with the Bangladesh senior national team.

A UEFA ‘A’ Licence holder, Cleevely has over 20 years of coaching experience, having started his career at Milwall FC in 1997. The 56 year old worked closely with Edwin van der Sar and Maik Taylor at Fulham FC between 1999-2002 before moving to Crystal Palace where he became the first team goalkeeper coach and lead academy goalkeeper coach under Steve Kember.

He was also at Tottenham Hotspur as academy goalkeeper coach before jumping ship to Chelsea in 2007 where he spent four years, working in the academy as well as helping the senior team as and when required.

Cleevely worked with the likes of Petr Cech, Carlo Cudicini and Hilario at Stamford Bridge, helping them get better between the sticks. Cleevely was part of the Carshalton Academy as well before shifting base to Bangladesh in 2020 where he was the senior team goalkeeper coach.


“I have experience of working in this part of the world. Being part of the Bangladesh national team setup where fans are also very passionate about their football, I understand the sentiment well. SC East Bengal is a massive football club and I am proud to be part of that,” said Cleevely to SC East Bengal website.

He added, “I have done my homework on the goalkeepers we have and I will do what needs to be done to bring the best out of them. All three goalkeepers are experienced and I am sure they will come out with flying colours.”


Cleevely will assist the likes of Arindam Bhattacharya, Sankar Roy and Suvam Sen at SC East Bengal this season.


Incidentally, Cleevely replaced Bobby Mimms at the Bangladesh national team, as Mimms joined SC East Bengal last season as part of Robbie Fowler’s backroom staff. Cleevely now takes over from Mimms as the red and golds prepare for their second season in the top league of the country.