Oscar Bruzon Mundur dari East Bengal Jelang Laga Kontra Mumbai City

Pelatih kepala East Bengal FC Oscar Bruzon mengumumkan keputusannya untuk meninggalkan klub pada akhir musim ini menjelang pertandingan krusial melawan Mumbai City FC di Stadion Mumbai Football Arena pada Selasa, 5 Mei 2026.

Laga pekan terakhir Liga Super India (ISL) 2025-26 ini menjadi penentu bagi kedua tim yang sedang bersaing di papan atas klasemen, di mana East Bengal saat ini menduduki posisi keempat dengan 18 poin, terpaut satu angka dari tuan rumah Mumbai City.

East Bengal datang dengan modal produktivitas tertinggi di liga setelah mencetak 25 gol sepanjang musim, sementara Mumbai City FC berambisi memutus tren negatif tanpa kemenangan dalam tiga laga terakhir untuk menutup laga kandang pamungkas mereka dengan poin penuh.

Pelatih East Bengal Oscar Bruzon menyoroti perkembangan anak asuhnya sebelum membahas masa depannya di klub.

"First of all I need to clear something that how East Bengal have improved as a team over the last season. Many players came to the club and shared their experience for the club’s success. This year we had a lot of players who have been playing in this league for a long time. So if you consider Jerry, I knew from the very first day after he came to this club that he will play well whenever he gets his opportunity. In the last match he finally got the opportunity to play for East Bengal FC after 5-6 matches, and showed his capabilities. It is not easy to play after such a long time without any match exposure for 3-4 months, he was silent. He was training really hard in the practice sessions and was eagerly waiting for his opportunity. I am very happy that he is back into the team in the very right moment of the league." ujar Oscar Bruzon, Pelatih Kepala East Bengal FC.

Bruzon juga memberikan klarifikasi mengenai spekulasi yang beredar di media sosial terkait posisinya di tim Red and Gold Brigade.

"Second this press conference is all about the situation of East Bengal and the match we will going to play on Tuesday, which is very crucial. Yes I will announce some personal decision taken by me and clarify on some of the news that has been speculating on the social media for the last 24 hours. But I want to clear one thing that this personal decision is not at all important than East Bengal. The most important here is East Bengal’s last four games of the season and we want to finish the most successful ISL season of the club on a high note so far in the history of the Indian Super League." kata Oscar Bruzon, Pelatih Kepala East Bengal FC.

Arsitek asal Spanyol tersebut menyampaikan rasa terima kasihnya kepada para pendukung setia klub sebelum mengonfirmasi perpisahan.

"Once saying that I must admit that no individual is ahead than the club atleast till the last day I am here at this club. I have completed almost two years with East Bengal, this has been the most successful, iconic and historic club for me in India. In the history of the club, I want to thank all the fans of this club who have always supported me in my ups and downs with the club and have been incredible. So for me they are best the fanbase in Asia," tambah Oscar Bruzon, Pelatih Kepala East Bengal FC.

Ia merinci bahwa perencanaan teknis telah dimulai sejak awal tahun 2025 namun menemui hambatan dalam visi jangka panjang manajemen.

"I signed my extension here last year on 14th February, 2025. From that moment we started planning on the technical matters of the club and Mr. Vibhash Agarwal on the economical matters of the club. I am along with Emami have been really working hard to for the past few months to improve the situation of the club. We have been working out our plans since last year February, how we can improve the performance of the club and what went wrong in the past few seasons. We started the analysis, scouting players who can play and bring out the best results for the club. I take all the responsibilities what has happened this year in the club." jelas Oscar Bruzon, Pelatih Kepala East Bengal FC.

Ketidakjelasan mengenai arah masa depan klub dan kontrak pemain menjadi alasan utama Bruzon memutuskan tidak memperpanjang masa jabatannya.

"I along with Emami, and my technical team have reviewed, formed the team, and worked in bad conditions. Emami and I are responsible for what has happened in the club. It is now May from February, but there is no long-term plan, no work responsibilities. Since there is no future direction, I have decided not to continue in charge. There are still 3 weeks. It is not a matter of uncertainty or financial issues with Indian football, it is my personal decision." tegas Oscar Bruzon, Pelatih Kepala East Bengal FC.

Bruzon memastikan dirinya akan tetap profesional dan memberikan kemampuan terbaiknya hingga kontraknya berakhir pada akhir Mei.

"So the plan started in February and now we are standing here in the month of May, but there is no long-term plan, vision or mission from the club’s management. There is also no indication regarding the contract extension of the important players. So as a professional person, I want say that I will not continue as the head coach of East Bengal after this season, after 31st May. But I will give my everything, and try to" lanjut Oscar Bruzon, Pelatih Kepala East Bengal FC.

Di kubu lawan, pelatih Mumbai City FC Petr Kratky menyadari ancaman besar yang dibawa oleh skuat East Bengal yang sedang dalam performa tajam.

"East Bengal FC have shown a lot of quality this season and we are fully aware of their strengths, so we are preparing accordingly. At the same time, I believe if we deliver what we have been working on in training and give everything on the pitch, our team has the ability to get a positive result," ungkap Petr Kratky, Pelatih Kepala Mumbai City FC.

Kratky menekankan pentingnya meraih poin penuh demi para pendukung dalam laga kandang terakhir musim ini di Andheri.

"It is our last home game of the campaign and we want to finish on a high. We have worked very hard throughout the season and now it is about putting in a strong performance and doing everything we can to bring three points for the fans," kata Petr Kratky, Pelatih Kepala Mumbai City FC.

Kapten tim Mumbai City FC Lallianzuala Chhangte turut memberikan apresiasi atas dukungan suporter yang konsisten di tengah dinamika kompetisi.

"The fans have supported us through every situation this season and we are very grateful for that. We are expecting them to turn out in big numbers again and we want to give them something to be proud of in this last home match," kata Lallianzuala Chhangte, Kapten Mumbai City FC.

Chhangte menambahkan bahwa fokus tim saat ini adalah memenangkan sisa pertandingan dengan mengeksekusi rencana taktis pelatih.

"The environment in the team is very positive right now. The energy in training has been good and our intention is clear. We are focused on winning all the remaining games and executing the plans we have worked on." tutur Lallianzuala Chhangte, Kapten Mumbai City FC.

Menghadapi lini serang East Bengal yang berbahaya, Kratky menuntut koordinasi pertahanan dari seluruh pemain di lapangan.

"We have faced strong attacking teams before and done well defensively. We must work together as a team and stay organised. It is not just about the backline, rather all eleven players have to contribute. This will give us the platform to perform well both defensively and offensively," urai Petr Kratky, Pelatih Kepala Mumbai City FC.

Kratky berharap anak asuhnya tidak memiliki penyesalan saat kompetisi berakhir dengan menunjukkan sikap kompetitif di fase krusial ini.

"We have three games to go now and we will give everything on the pitch. At this stage, it is about fighting in every moment and making sure we have no regrets at the end of the season. I see a positive attitude in the group, the players want to compete and push themselves, and that is what we need in this phase of the season," pungkas Petr Kratky, Pelatih Kepala Mumbai City FC.