In the wake of mounting criticism and fan unrest, East Bengal head coach Oscar Bruzon has come forward to defend his team’s performances under his tenure. The Spanish coach’s statements came after East Bengal’s commanding 3-1 victory against Mohammedan SC, a much-needed win to restore optimism among fans and the squad alike.
Fan dissatisfaction has been growing steadily, culminating in protests at the team’s training ground even before the Mohammedan SC clash. Supporters were seen surrounding the players’ bus and cars, expressing their frustration over the club’s inconsistent performances this season. However, Bruzon believed that the team had shown considerable improvement since he took charge.
In the post-match press conference, he highlighted the statistical progress made by East Bengal under his leadership. “I want to finish with one thing, as there was a lot of criticism this week on the season,” he stated. “If you count the last 15 or 16 games since I’m here, and if you look at the standings, East Bengal is No. 6, so it’s not all that negative. Probably, we have a handicap with not a good beginning of the season, but in the last 15 or 16 games since we reached and took over the team, our team is in position No. 6.”
Bruzon suggested that the team’s poor start to the season, marked by consecutive losses in the first six games, significantly hindered their ability to compete for a playoff spot. However, he remained optimistic about the future. “Let’s give also some message of optimism because the things are not being done that bad, and we have to accept the critics,” he said. “The last game at home [a 3-0 loss to Chennaiyin], as I say, is unacceptable, but if you look at the mid-term and the future, I’m sure that we are going to match the expectations.”
Bruzon also expressed his satisfaction with the team’s bench strength, a factor that had been a concern during much of his tenure. Against Mohammedan SC, substitutes Saul Crespo and David Lalhlansanga found the back of the net, a development the coach viewed as a promising sign for the future. “For a long time, we have been deprived of key options on the bench,” he said. “But today, seeing players coming off the bench and scoring gives me a sense of privilege and optimism moving forward.”
Despite the turbulent season and ongoing fan pressure, Bruzon’s comments suggested that he remained committed to guiding East Bengal toward a more stable and successful future. With the team sitting in a more respectable position since his arrival, the coach hopes to turn the tide and align performances with the club’s high expectations in the coming matches.