East Bengal would be hoping for a reversal of fortunes as one Spanish coach replaces another, after a disastrous start to the Indian Super League 2024-25. Oscar Bruzon took over from compatriot Carles Cuadrat, who parted ways with the club after defeats in the first three matches—Bino George was the interim coach in East Bengal's fourth match, which ended in a 0-2 loss to Jamshedpur FC.
Cuadrat had won the Super Cup last season, ending East Bengal's 12-year trophy drought. But he could not replicate the form this season, as the Red and Gold brigade lost 0-1 to Bengaluru FC in their opener, 1-2 against Kerala Blasters and 2-3 against FC Goa.
খেলা ঘোরাতে আসছে সে! 👊#AmagoFans, join us welcoming our 🆕 boss, Óscar Bruzón to the ❤️💛 family! 🫡#JoyEastBengal #EmamiEastBengal #WelcomeOscar pic.twitter.com/Uspafm1qil
— East Bengal FC (@eastbengal_fc) October 8, 2024
Bruzon was appointed during the international break. His first assignment would probably be the high-stakes ISL derby against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant on October 19.
East Bengal are currently languishing at the bottom of the points table in the ISL 2024-25.
Who is Oscar Bruzon?
Bruzon began his managerial career with youth teams at Areosa and Celta de Vigo. He has had a taste of Indian football in the past, having coached Sporting Clube de Goa in 2012, leading them to the Goa Professional League title in the 2013-14 season. He also served as an assistant coach at Mumbai City FC in the 2015-16 ISL, and as head coach of Mumbai FC in the 2017 I-League.
Bruzon led Bangladeshi club Bashundhara Kings to five consecutive league titles. With 94 wins in 114 matches and a points-per-match ratio of 2.59, he is the most successful coach in the history of the Bangladesh Premier League.
With Bruzon in charge, the Bashundhara Kings lost only seven matches and drew 13 from 2018 to 2024. Besides five consecutive Bangladesh Premier League titles, the club also won three Independence Cup titles and three Federation Cup titles under Bruzon. They scored 277 goals while conceding 80.
Bruzon also led New Radiant SC in the Maldives to the Dhivehi Premier League, Maldives FA Cup, President's Cup, and Maldivian FA Charity Shield in his first stint as coach.
In AFC Cup, while managing New Radiant FC in the Maldives and Bashundhara Kings, Bruzon won 11 of 19 matches. He defeated two ISL clubs last season, narrowly missing out on the knockout stages.
As a player, Bruzon represented Gran Pea, Celta B, Universidad LP, and Pontevedra CF as a winger and central midfielder.
