Kolkata, July 8 (IANS) Indian Super League (ISL) side Atletico de Kolkata chief coach Antonio Lopez Habas on Wednesday said he is the one who takes the final decision whether to rope in a player or not.
Earlier there were reports of some management officials calling the shots about which players should come in but the coach denied such statements.
“I take all decisions regarding the technical aspects of the team, Bhaichung (Bhutia) is the consultant and he tells me about things. However, the final decision rests with me,” Habas told reporters at a press conference here.
The Spaniard, who led ATK to win the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) last year, also said the team would be deciding on the assistant coach very soon after former Mohun Bagan legend Brazilian Jose Ramirez Barreto was not retained for this edition.
“We are doing some interviews and the assistant coach will be announced in some days. We are looking for different options and we still have time to make the decision,” he said via his interpreter.
Asked why he has put Indian forward Sushil Kumar Singh in the team who has not played much football in the last year or so, the coach said it was a technical decision taken after much evaluation.
“It is a technical decision, we evaluated him and then put him in the team.”
The 58-year-old also said the team is yet to decide on the marquee player for the upcoming edition.