Mohun Bagan Will Always have A Great Place In My Heart: Greco

greco
Greco,International club director of Atletico Paranaense. Image Source: Xtra Time

World famous Greco is no new to Indian football fans. The legendary Brazilian who is the International club director of Atletico Paranaense has more than 40 years of coaching experience and has the experience of representing Brazilian football in more than 40 countries in different ways and was also a part when Mohun Bagan brought him as a chief instructor of Mohun Bagan Sail Football Academy.Though the honeymoon with the oldest I-League club didn’t last long as he had to go back to Brazil after a short stint though within the short phase he instrumented present Mohun Bagan players like Souvik Chakraborty, Ram malik, Pankaj Moula, Tirthankar Sarkar and so on. Despite having such a huge coaching profile as well as experiencing salts across the globe. He can still remember each and every person associated with Mohun bagan  including the names of the players as well as the groundsmen such is his memory. While talking to commentator Suman Chakravorty on behalf of “Xtratime” he was very nostalgic about India as it was his own country.

XT) How much do you miss Mohun bagan?

Ans) I can say that it was one of the most richest experience of my football coaching career.I miss them very much. They have the love and passion for football. I had so many difficulties at that time, Infrastructure problems, ideas, and philosophies. You can learn a lot. You can make relationship with the people. Mohun Bagan will always have a great place in my heart. They are the one of the biggest clubs in Asia with traditional history. Especially if you talk about the immortal 1911 IFA Shield win over east Yorkshire Regiment . It was my pleasure working there.

XT) What was the problem exactlly?

Ans) Infrastructure, lack of patience to achieve results. In football you need so much time to develop players, develop philosophy. After my short stint of 9 months I could see a lot of players from my time are playing in the I-League, ISL. This is a great reward for me .For 8-9 months I was there. I could contribute in their development. Some players are playing in the senior level now. That time they were14 or 15.I think I have given a good contribution. Whenever I went to Kolkata specially Durgapur I have always received so much of respect,affection. For me it’s a great thing

XT) Atletico Paranaense is one of the biggest productive football clubs in the world. Tell us something about its youth development process.

Ans) yes you are absolutely right. Atletico is no doubt one of the most strongest,traditional clubs of Brazil. Players who have developed through the youth development like Kleberson played for Manchester United,left full back Alexandro playing in Juventus, goalkeeper Nato who plays in Florentina and so many other players who reached international level. In Brazil too there are atleast 3-4 players from our Academy. In the club senior squad there are almost 35 percent players coming from our academy.we are looking forward to have top talents coming from our academy not only for Brazil but also for International football.

XT) I heard that Atletico has almost 5000 players from the the age group of 6-14 units, Is it true?

Ans) Yes the football school units in Brazil are more than 100 now. In our premises we have three youth teams. U-15,U-17,U-19 consisting almost eighty players in each age group then we have our second team U-23.Now we have 200 players registered under all age group.

XT) Does your club have an plan to expand their academy in England?

Ans) Yes we have close discussions with some reliable companies and of course we are always open to any offer. Atletico always wants to associate themself with reliable people to build up not only top talents but also good citizens with good manners,characters.We have started to contact. Talks are on final stage to decide who will be our partner. It is a good opportunity for the clubs and companies to associate themselves with Atletico. I think for ISL you have to concentrate on good talented footballers. Thats why Atletico have been sending players for the last two editions. Pelissari, Jonathan Luca, Dos Santos,Pedro. All these players gave a good contribution to the Indian football.

XT) You are a good friend of Zico. What do you think will he comeback in the next edition for FC Goa?

Ans) I had not a chance to talk with my friend Zico after the last edition. I think Zico is willing to win the ISL. He was very close last year. It depends on FC Goa. He has so much things to give for the development of Indian football. If I receive some information you will be the first person to know.

XT) In terms of thought process what are the changes needed for the betterment of Indian Football?

Ans) Since I was here I have been talking about one thing, Grassroots Development. Must work more and more on Infrastructure. Have to bring more football academies. Organize more and more International football tournaments like Nagjee. Should have more and more exchange program with International football clubs. There should be more and more tournaments such this and of course capacitation of coaches. Indians coaches should open their mind and should use more modern technologies in youth development. They can also come to Atletico. We run coaching courses periodically and it is open for all coaches. We have Practical sessions,game analysis and they can stay in our premises. I would suggest that interested peple can contact our club and I can give them information regarding this.

XT) If IFA offers you to play in the IFA Shield would you b e playing?

Ans) Yes yes. I have started to discuss this with Utpal Ganguly. Last year we could not take part. This time co incidentally IFA Shield started almost with Nagjee. For me it would be a great honour to be in Kolkata, the great place of football. If they invite us we will surely come next year.

XT) What are the future prospect of this footballers who can don the Brazil national team jersey in future?

Ans) You mean the present team in Nagjee. Yeah I can say the no 10 Pedro has a brilliant future.two fullbacks Gustavo who knows and Nicolas. Also the forwards and midfielders. They all are so promising.

XT) Do you have any regrets in your life?

Ans) No.Specially with football. Because of football I have learnt three languages. I have visited more than 40 countries. I have this special connection with India for the past ten years. It’s so nice to stay in India sharing the great hospitality, sharing the food , sharing the culture.

XT) you have an agreement with AIFF. how much it will help to the future of Indian football?

Ans) I firmly believe it will benefit a lot.We have decided to start on a concrete way and you are the first to get this information that we will be hosting Indian National U-17 team on our premises. We have just arrived from Delhi after holding a meeting with Kushal Das, Nicolai Adam. We all set to host not only the U17 team but also some talented footballers from U18, U19. They will be going to Brazil to stay there and evaluate themselves. It will be a great contribution to the Indian footballs and also for the Indian coaches coming along with the team. Mr Kushal is very very optimistic. Also I Met Stephen Constantine who will be visiting us. I had a good chat with Scott O Donell. Atletico wants to share its experience