Ex-East Bengal, NorthEast United, Kerala Blasters coach Eelco Schattorie joins Al-Seeb SC

The tactician last managed the Blasters during ISL 2019-20.

Eelco Schattorie has found a new destination in his coaching career. The former Kerala Blasters head-coach has joined Al-Seeb SC, a club that plays in Oman. The Dutch tactician has a long list of clubs under his resume and will add another when he takes over this new position. He has had a previous experience of working in Oman with Fanja SC, during the 2009-10 season.

Schattorie has also managed NorthEast United FC and SC East Bengal (in I-League) in Indian football among other clubs. He guided the Highlanders to their first-ever ISL playoffs qualification in the 2018-19 season. That was his most successful performance in the ISL but he could not lift the trophy. 

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When the mastermind from Netherlands came to India

Eelco Schattorie is popular in India after working with various clubs here. His first assignment in the country was with Prayag United in 2012. His next assignment was with East Bengal when the club used to ply their trade in the I-League. A brief spell with Al-Ettifaq was next in the cards before Schattorie joined NEUFC as their assistant coach in 2018. 

He got the nod as the head-coach during the fifth season of the ISL, which was perhaps the most prolific in NEUFC’s history. They made several landmark achievements under Schattorie's guidance. The Highlanders secured their maiden playoff qualification that year after scoring 29 points in the group stage. That season was highlighted by the brilliant partnership between Federico Gallego and Bartholomew Ogbeche. 

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The campaign ended after an unfortunate injury to Gallego in the second-leg of the semi-final against Bengaluru FC. Despite winning the first-leg by 2-1, the Highlanders bowed out after a 0-3 defeat in the second-leg. The aggregate score of 4-2 in BFC’s favour brought an end to an incredible season played by Schattorie’s men.

Ahead of the 2019-20 season of the ISL, he signed with Kerala Blasters in what was a very promising move for both parties. However, his stint with the Yellow Army was not as successful. Out of 18 games, Schattorie could only deliver four victories and seven draws, while the remaining seven games ended in defeat. He also worked on the Star Sports' experts panel during ISL 2020-21.

The 49-year-old’s return to Oman is highly anticipated. This will be a change of pace for the gaffer who spent his recent years working in Indian football.

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