Jose Marcio Ramirez Barreto is inarguably one of the finest foreign footballers ever to have played in India. While both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan haven’t given up hope on regaining his services next season, the Brazilian, currently plying his trade in Malaysia, is inadvertently helping the former club look for quality foreigners. East Bengal coach Subhas Bhowmick has for long been planning to ‘update’ himself on modern coaching methods and had all but decided to spend a month in Everton at the start of the season. That was after he had talked to Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson regarding his prospects there. However, nothing came of it after the English club’s US tour was cancelled and they instead chose to tour China and Japan. Bhowmick, though, kept looking for options and decided to go to Ajax Amsterdam followed by a one-week sports psychology course in England. It was then that he got in touch with Barreto and the Brazilian showed him the way. According to Bhowmick: “Barreto told me not to got to England. He suggested that since the Brazilian leagues were on in full swing, it would be better if I went there and so he suggested Sao Paolo. “When I told him that my target was to recruit a quality foreign striker, he said that I could choose anyone from the 100 Barretos there.” Bhowmick, will kick-off his tour with a trip to Johannesburg, where he will look for a striker/ defensive midfielder. He will scout for about three to four days, before moving to Brazil. “I’m sure I’ll find a goldmine out there. The Brazilian leagues, including the Paulista and the inter-district league will be in full swing. I will stay in Sao Paolo, watch their matches and also look for a striker, whom I desperately need,” said the coach of an East Bengal side that has lost to Mohun Bagan twice in 16 days. Bhowmick is also banking on Nigerian Mike Okoro as his side prepares for the Federation Cup. The Nigerian has given his consent although his ITC is yet to arrive. The country’s premier knock-out competition has eluded the club in recent times and the East Bengal coach is taking no chances this time. He is planning to go for a 15-day residential camp in Shantiniketan from October 1-15, with the tournament beginning in New Delhi on October 19. Bhowmick intends to leave the country by this weekend.
