Mamic shakes hands with defender Waly Faisal DHAKA TRIBUNEThe absence of English forward Lee Andrew TuckI was monitoring his play. He kept playing very good. He scored 10 goals, along with lots of assists. He is modern player.Situation with Abahani last time aroundI told Rupu (manager) I was trying my best to stay because I was about to leave the club in (that) moment when they needed a coach (to) start a competition. That (wasn't) good. But I (had to) come back home. It was serious situation. After that I didn't want to come here because Mr Kottan already came back. I started working for a club (Sime Darby FC) in Malaysia from July. I worked there for four months till November.Thoughts on current squadNot too much changes. I can see lots of players here who I saw before. I know these boys. May be one or two I don't remember. Just looking for foreign players. Lee Tuck left. For other players, we have been engaged (as much) as possible.Satyajit Das Rupu, Abahani football manager, on Mamic's appointmentHe came here with the purpose of staying for the whole season. Primarily he will be here for first two tournaments – Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup (February) and AFC Cup (March) – then the league will begin. Hopefully it will continue upto the league.
Drago Mamic has good knowledge and experience in south Asia football. He coached Maldives and fortunately, our first match in AFC Cup is against a Maldives club. He did home work on it.Mamic is not a new face to Abahani as he joined the club on April 17 last year during the group stages of the Independence Cup but the veteran tactician left the country less than half a month before his contract ended.
Mamic, who will be 63 Thursday, apologised for leaving the club early, citing a “serious situation” for him at that moment. Mamic's first assignment is the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup that gets underway this month.
But it seems the club's main priority is their maiden appearance in the AFC Cup, set to begin in the middle of March this year. Kottan guided a star-studded Abahani to their fifth professional league title last season, along with the Federation Cup crown.
Mamic met the players and officials after his arrival following which he talked to the media.
Here are some excerpts:Challenge of living upto Kottan's standardsThat was a big result (league win). But everything is same as the year before. The target must be the biggest one, to try to win all the trophies possible. I cannot say we will repeat for sure. But try to repeat that and may be, better results, especially in the AFC Cup.Regarding current situation at the clubVery good situation now and I like it. Kottan made very good results. That means I have the quality players, along with the good peoples who are supporting that. That's why I'm optimistic to keep up the consistency.About AFC CupThis year after long time they (Abahani) will be playing AFC Cup, which is very good for the reputation of the club and the country. It is very important for me (we get) good results. Very good timing to make preparation for all these games. I know the Maldives club who we will face in the first match because they have almost all national players. They are really strong team. Must be careful about it. The club with such reputation must be going to make best possible results.
Mamic shakes hands with defender Waly Faisal DHAKA TRIBUNEThe absence of English forward Lee Andrew TuckI was monitoring his play. He kept playing very good. He scored 10 goals, along with lots of assists. He is modern player.Situation with Abahani last time aroundI told Rupu (manager) I was trying my best to stay because I was about to leave the club in (that) moment when they needed a coach (to) start a competition. That (wasn't) good. But I (had to) come back home. It was serious situation. After that I didn't want to come here because Mr Kottan already came back. I started working for a club (Sime Darby FC) in Malaysia from July. I worked there for four months till November.Thoughts on current squadNot too much changes. I can see lots of players here who I saw before. I know these boys. May be one or two I don't remember. Just looking for foreign players. Lee Tuck left. For other players, we have been engaged (as much) as possible.Satyajit Das Rupu, Abahani football manager, on Mamic's appointmentHe came here with the purpose of staying for the whole season. Primarily he will be here for first two tournaments – Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup (February) and AFC Cup (March) – then the league will begin. Hopefully it will continue upto the league.
Drago Mamic has good knowledge and experience in south Asia football. He coached Maldives and fortunately, our first match in AFC Cup is against a Maldives club. He did home work on it.
Mamic shakes hands with defender Waly Faisal DHAKA TRIBUNEThe absence of English forward Lee Andrew TuckI was monitoring his play. He kept playing very good. He scored 10 goals, along with lots of assists. He is modern player.Situation with Abahani last time aroundI told Rupu (manager) I was trying my best to stay because I was about to leave the club in (that) moment when they needed a coach (to) start a competition. That (wasn't) good. But I (had to) come back home. It was serious situation. After that I didn't want to come here because Mr Kottan already came back. I started working for a club (Sime Darby FC) in Malaysia from July. I worked there for four months till November.Thoughts on current squadNot too much changes. I can see lots of players here who I saw before. I know these boys. May be one or two I don't remember. Just looking for foreign players. Lee Tuck left. For other players, we have been engaged (as much) as possible.Satyajit Das Rupu, Abahani football manager, on Mamic's appointmentHe came here with the purpose of staying for the whole season. Primarily he will be here for first two tournaments – Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup (February) and AFC Cup (March) – then the league will begin. Hopefully it will continue upto the league.
Drago Mamic has good knowledge and experience in south Asia football. He coached Maldives and fortunately, our first match in AFC Cup is against a Maldives club. He did home work on it.