Blaugrana to Bengaluru, the ‘Rocha’ Albert became

The 55-year-old's methods were vital to the Blues' supremacy in recent times.

A burgeoning story began on July 20, 2013, with the Jindal South West Group foraying into the Indian football scene. A club, cradled in the heart of India’s Garden City, was started and Sunil Chhetri, Indian football’s poster-boy, was signed. In came Ashley Westwood and created a team with Pradyum Reddy that won hearts, trophies and set new standards in Indian football.

Fast forward to May 2016, Westwood parted ways with the club he had built brick by brick and in stepped FC Barcelona’s former trainer Albert Roca. Roca did not have a lot of experience in club management, but was a big name as he took the reins to control a side that was vying for Asia’s recognition and elite.

Began the journey of Roca. West Block Blues was slowly getting the numbers inside and the recognition outside. The Sree Kanteerava was at the onset of a revolution, slowly emerging into one of the important venues of football in the country. Roca, with his calm demeanour, made sure the football wasn’t ruined.

Roca's Bengaluru FC emerged as one of the best sides in Indian football

With his experience at Camp Nou proving invaluable, Roca understood that he had big boots to fill. Westwood had created an aura of invincibility with the right signings, Sunil Chhetri’s daredevilry and team unity. His successor didn’t tweak things too much that season. He allowed the team to continue in the same vein while strengthening the defensive side.

Roca, though, had his definition of the game. One thing that must be stated about him is the fact that he understood Indian football lacks fleet-footedness and artsy football early, and that worked in his favour. Roca never expected his team to play smooth build-ups, and helped wing-play become an important weapon.

After Amal Dutta, Roca became the first big-name manager to play three at the top in India, with the ever-reliable Chhetri on the left and Udanta on the right. Alwyn George slowly diminished, with foreigner Erik Paartalu and Dimas Delgado assuming more responsibility of the midfield. Harmanjot Singh Khabra was resurrected and the man seldom took wrong steps but did have a temper.

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Subhashish Bose, Lenny Rodrigues and Rahul Bheke came in and made their own space, amidst incoming foreigners. The core of the side, though, remained the same. Roca did not ditch the pairing of John Johnson and Juanan. That ensured him the trust of the fan bases, and he hit where it mattered.

The I-leagues stopped coming, but the Asian journeys continued their longevity. Final, and a semi-final isn’t too bad. A Federation Cup and an inaugural Super Cup aren’t too bad for the man who always allowed his job do the talking. Bengaluru did not play as beautiful or sweepy football as they did under the now-ATK Technical Director Westwood, but were no less effective.

The goalscoring reduced a little, but the resoluteness and mental rigidness was there for everyone to see. The way Roca heaped praise on his captain showed that he’s levered down his scale, and is now measuring with what is in front of him. That, in itself, is commendable.

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Well, Roca slowly, proved his critics wrong. He had his different style, which was effective and result-bearing. In a way, he continued and amplified on what he got from his predecessor. He turned into a ‘Rocha’, in a literal sense and Khel Now wishes him all the luck to wherever he heads, turned into a better man, manager and footballing mind.

*Rocha (Portuguese): meaning 'rock' or 'boulder'