SC East Bengal’s new Spanish coach Jose Manuel ‘Manolo’ Diaz thinks that the squad’s Indian players need tactical improvement.

“We have tested the Indian players in the two friendly matches we have played so far. They have good skills but have to improve tactical movements,” the coach said in his first news conference, held virtually from Betalbatim in south Goa, on Monday.

Manolo, however, is impressed by the amount of hard work the Indian players are putting in. “At the moment we are getting to know the players. In the coming weeks, we are going to finalise the squad. We have a lot of skilful and quality players and I am happy with everyone’s hard work,” he said.

The former Real Madrid B team coach wants to work for the development of Indian football and the desire to gain international exposure brought him to SC East Bengal. “I have decided to come here because East Bengal is a big club in India. I had offers to continue in Spain but wanted to get international experience.

“I am aware that many Spanish players and coaches are in India or have worked here. I know Alejandro Menendez who coached East Bengal and the perception about ISL is that it is developing. We want to contribute to the development of Indian players and the league.”

SC East Bengal’s participation in ISL VIII was confirmed after a protracted battle between investor Shree Cement and the club officials. That didn’t give SC East Bengal much time to choose foreign players.

Manolo though didn’t complain. “The club decided to play in the ISL in August and then asked for our opinion on the foreign players. Right now the players who are there in the squad, I am very happy with them,” he said.

A win in the Derby against ATK Mohun Bagan would make SC East Bengal fans happy and Manolo wants to log full points on November 27.

“The Derby is a very important match. We want to win it not only for three points but also for the fans. The win will give them happiness. But it’s not just the Derby, our target is to do well in all the 20 matches (of the league). We are ready to win the Derby, which is our second match of the season,” he said.

The first leg of the Derby will be played at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco.

Like last season, this time also, all the 11 ISL teams will have to stay in a bio-bubble for around six months. Manolo said the squad is mentally prepared for it.

“We have the experience of staying in a bio-bubble and we are mentally and physically ready for this. We know the conditions and the rules. Once the league starts, we are going to play a match every three or four days. There won’t be much mental fatigue as you will continuously focus on matches and tactics. We will put our energy there and won’t get time to think about the bubble,” he said.