East Bengal coach Mridul Banerjee injured on first day of training, ruled out

East Bengal’s coach Mridul Banerjee suffered an injury during a practice session and will be out for four weeks. East Bengal still have two matches to play in I-League.

East Bengal’s newly-appointed coach Mridul Banerjee got injured during his very first training session with the club, a “ruptured” Achilles tendon ruling him out for four weeks and adding to its woes.

Mridul Banerjee was appointed as East Bengal coach after Trevor Morgan resigned. (HT Photo)

Out of I-League title race, East Bengal appointed the Santosh Trophy-winning coach on an interim basis, his tenure fixed till the Federation Cup.

With less than a month to go for the Federation Cup, the 56-year-old suffered the injury on his left foot.

Read | East Bengal out of I-League title race after fourth loss in a row

“I’ve ruptured my Achilles tendon and will be out of action for at least four weeks. I wanted to give it all for East Bengal in the remainder season but such a big opportunity is wasted in such a cruel manner,” an emotional Banerjee said after he was discharged from the hospital.

The former Mohammedan Sporting AFC-A License holder coach tumbled on the field in an awkward manner after his foot landed on an uneven surface.

Read | Trevor Morgan quits, Armando Colaco set to be new East Bengal football coach

Banerjee was named coach less than 12 hours after Englishman Trevor Morgan shot off a resignation letter following a string of losses, including a humiliating defeat in I-League derby.

A 0-1 defeat to DSK Shivajians on April 16, their latest, meant their elusive I-League title hopes were dashed.

East Bengal are third on the table with 27 points from 16 fixtures, below title contenders Aizawl FC and Mohun Bagan.