Sergio Lobera vs Carles Cuadrat: Who would have been better for East Bengal?

With the manager saga concluding at East Bengal, Khel Now decided to dig deep into the topic.

East Bengal began their new ‘reset’ project with a new manager. On 25th April, news emerged that former Bengaluru FC gaffer Carles Cuadrat has joined the ship with the assignment to take it forward. Needless to say, the Red & Golds have been one of the most disappointing performers in the Indian Super League since joining the competition. However, with Cuadrat at the helm, things can be expected to change.

All of these come on the back of a long-stretched ‘flirt’ with Sergio Lobera, the former FC Goa and Mumbai City FC manager. Lobera was in China, managing Sichuan Jiuniu, and some reports even said that it was a done deal. A two-year deal was offered and Lobera was expected to arrive after the recently-concluded Hero Super Cup. However, it was not to be.

In hindsight, Khel Now looked at both options the club explored and thought – who would be the better fit at East Bengal?

Sergio Lobera

The 46-year-old taskmaster is known for his intricate passing system that he brought at FC Goa and then, moulded a little to suit his star-studded pack at Mumbai City FC. Lobera has a belief system in football and how it needs to be played, and it needs time to be implemented. He needs a central pivot – a player his team revolves around. That player (formerly, Ahmed Jahouh) needs to be brilliant on the ball, a dynamic midfield enforcer and should also be a cover for his defensive side.

Apart from that, he also has had his moments of disruptions. Looking at the players currently playing for East Bengal, it would need someone even of the pedigree of Lobera to change them into smooth passers and footballers who could play the ball out in tight spaces. Lobera also has his list of players – he would go on war with them. But without them, his team looked rudderless and weak, often out of ideas. East Bengal would also need a terrific striker had Lobera arrived, with the coach well-known for his love and superb usage of a fluid No. 9.

Carles Cuadrat

With due respect to Lobera, Carles Cuadrat looks to be the better fit. Let us explain why. First, he is fluid in his system and has plan Bs as well. At Bengaluru, we saw Carles work in a 4-3-3 and a 3-5-2, depending on the situation and the players available at his disposal. Without a doubt, he received a stronger squad at Bengaluru FC, helmed by Albert Roca before him. Nonetheless, he had his own set of problems with departure of key players (read Miku Fedor). These did not deter Cuadrat, with BFC setting several club records under him.

He is a no-nonsense manager, with a mentality to win at all cost – a trait East Bengal need desperately. Cuadrat knows how to come back from a goal or two deficits, throwing away his system out of the frame. He asks his team to throw the kitchen sink at the opposition, and work out a way to eke out points. Another trait that will work well at East Bengal is the solidity that Carles Cuadrat provides to his defensive units. It is extremely tough to break down Cuadrat’s teams and for him, the two-midfield pivot just ahead of the defensive pivot will be the key.

Conclusion

By no means do we mean Carles Cuadrat is a better manager than Sergio Lobera. Both have their own strengths. All we mean is given the situation East Bengal is in, they need a manager that can hold hands of these players and take them to the habit of winning and fighting for points. Once that is established, this side can be turned into a well-drilled unit who when needed, can score four or five past the opposition without breaking sweat. However, it will take time. Also, given the resources at hand, Lobera would have needed more signings than Cuadrat. That is probably one of the reasons why the deal broke off after negotiations.

However, all of this is just conjecture. It remains to be seen what Carles Cuadrat does at one of the oldest clubs in India to help transform them. Ideally, if East Bengal can rank anywhere from four to six on the ISL table, they should look at it as progress. If Carles Cuadrat fails to achieve what he sets out on, maybe a maverick like Sergio Lobera is what the club needs. But at this moment, we’ll just have to wait and see.