Kolkata, July 27: He was virtually written off as a coach in 1999-2000 after a dismal year with East Bengal. But within three years, the gritty Subhas Bhowmick has proved his critics wrong. The wheels of fortune seem to have turned a full circle with Bhowmick now being regarded as the main architect of East Bengal's triumph in the Asean club football championship in Jakarta. Know as 'bulldozer' in his playing days for combining raw physical strength with lightning speed and silken skill, Bhowmick stewarded East Bengal to last night's fairtytale success by instilling a high dose of dare-devilry and self belief in his charges.
"If one individual deserves credit it is Bhowmick. He was combative in his playing days and has succeeded in instilling this attitude in his boys," says P K Banerjee whom Bhowmick regards as his mentor. During a glorious 13-year playing career (1967-1979), Bhowmick was part of the Asian games bronze winning Indian side in 1970, besides being an indispensable up front player of clubs like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.

The popular forward is also known for his volatile temper and sheer arrogance which saw him steamroll past crack defenders of rival teams.

And it was this arrogance which was visible in the build-up that Bhowmick scripted for East Bengal ahead of the Asean campaign.

Bureau Report.