Interviewing East Bengal coach Alejandro Menendez Garcia is not easy. After a series of emails and help from Quess, the club’s investor, Alejandro finally agreed to give “some time” to The Telegraph. That “some time” turned out to be a 50-minute exclusive and extensive one-on-one where he spoke on a range of issues.

Excerpts...

Q You are one win away from the CFL title…

Alejandro: Being champions or not, the team is being better every day. I think the players gave a super effort during the Calcutta League. Winning the title will be a big reward for all the hard work the players have put in. If we get there, it will give us a lot of confidence for the I-League.

Q In the last one year, how much East Bengal have developed?

A We did very well last season. We came second in the I-League. Now, we are working on the fitness aspect. I want them to be more fit and that will help us to win the I-League. I always believe if we take care of our core issues, we will be successful. But if we do not take care of what we are doing, then whatever good work we do will go down the drain.

Q What brought you to East Bengal?

A A long-term project. I have different options from Indian clubs. Even the day I signed the contract, one club called me to change my decision. The project that East Bengal offered me… It was an idea… To make the club more professional. To follow a path which is long term, to have a solid structure and develop our players. To help East Bengal become the referral point where other clubs follow our way of football. The idea is to be the mirror for all the clubs.

Q How far have you been successful till now?

A I think last season we took big steps forward. We created a solid base and through that process the Indians players also learnt a lot. For example, there was a boy who came from nothing… no academy experience… Like say Joby Justin… He went on to become a national team player. This is what we are working at. To develop the Indian footballers because that will help the national team also.

Q ISL franchises have roped in East Bengal players like Laldanmawia Ralte joining Hyderabad FC or Joby’s move to ATK. Does it give you a high?

A It’s a part of the success. It’s not just me. The entire support staff work hard every day to achieve success.

Q Are you satisfied with East Bengal's youth development programme?

A It’s going in the right direction. I think East Bengal’s youth development is taking the same way. To help these players grow, everyone has to rally around. Youth development is not something to be taken lightly.

Q The national team under new coach Igor Stimac plays in a different style where the attack starts from the goalkeeper. Do you think the Indian clubs should start following that?

A I think that’s the only way to develop Indian football. It’s very difficult to work on this idea of football because you need to manage of a lot of principles of the game. You need a lot of hard work at the training sessions… the club coach needs to work with the players. Unless they have the ability it will not happen. This idea demands time. If the clubs follow this idea then Indian football will go north.

Q Have you seen India holding Qatar in Doha goalless?

A No, I did not. I have seen the national team play a bit though.

Q The national team doesn’t have many I-League players… Does it upset you?

A It doesn’t upset me. It’s the national team coach’s decision and I respect that. But if you ask me I would go for a five-year plan and then you will see I-League players also making the cut to the national team. There are players in the I-league who have the potential.

Q Indian club football saw an African influx in the 80s and 90s, followed by a Brazilian domination in the 2000s. Now we are witnessing a Spanish wave. Your take…

A Spanish coaches and players have the ability to help their respective clubs develop. In my opinion, Africans can help you win some games, but will not help you grow. We are here to improve the local players, to help the national team perform well.

Q Does football have any language?

A Football has expressions and the ability to demonstrate. I know what I have to tell the players with my expression and little bit of English. Football generally doesn’t have any language.

Q How do you unwind?

A I love watching Harrison Ford movies. He is different, special and very natural. See I do not have much time because coaching is a 24x7 job. It’s a stressful job. So it’s very important to switch off. Next morning when you meet the players and the staff you are fresh. When you are not fresh it affects the players too. Mental and physical fatigue are very contagious.

Q Have you seen the Spanish series Money Heist on Netflix?

A That’s the only series I have not seen. I know it’s very popular and will be binge-watching soon.

Q When will your family come?

A Family is in Spain. May be next month they will be in Calcutta. But if I see stability (in the club) then my family will be here. That’s a decision I have to take in the next few days. It will be a very important decision.