Atanu Bhattacharya

Atanu Bhattacharya is an Ex-Indian Footballer, Asian All Star Goalkeeper and captain of the Indian National team. He has played for India in the 1984 Asian Cup. During his playing career, he has represented all the three giants - Kingfisher East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting Club (Kolkata) for 5 years each. He has played for the Indian national team for over 12 years. He has also captained the national side to various triumphs. He is remembered for his immense contribution to the Indian National team and also for his selection into the Asian Allstar team. He is one of those footballers who has played for all the three clubs. A fun fact being that he first played for India and then got a call for the Bengal team that later won the Santosh Trophy. He was only at BNR when he got selected for the Indian National team unlike most who were playing at big clubs. His performance in the game against Argentina in the year 1984 is highly recognised.

His contributions don't end just at the national team. He was selected as the Goalkeeper coach for over 5 years at Mohun Bagan, in the late 1990s and early 2000's. Post which he was also selected as the GK coach of the Indian team alongside Syed Nayeemuddin. He even played a pivotal role in helping India win their SAFF Championship under the leadership of then captain Bhaichung Bhutia. From the year 2009 - 2013 he was again selected as the Goal Keeper coach of East Bengal where he helped the club win 9 trophies in just 4 seasons.

Alongside his accolades as a player, he is also regarded as one of the finest Goal Keeper coaches this country has ever seen.