“I was sitting idle after just two months of training with Tollygunge Agragami Club last season, and then I had refused to join Calcutta Port Trust too. So, I went without any opportunity. But the East Bengal Club finally helped me out by bringing me back to mainstream coaching. I don’t want to think about the tenure of my training here. Even this three-month-long assignment can change my fortunes. After this job, I can get a call from other clubs next season,” Mukherjee told The Indian Express last evening.

More importantly, following two inspired wins — against South African club Santos FC in the IFA group league match and against Yemeni premier side Sana FC in the AFC Cup home match — Mukherjee appears a much relieved man.

“Having trained the boys only for the last 20 days, I have been able to bring the best out of them. But it was not so easy this time, with most of the players already focusing on the coming season. So, it may be because of my ability to handle them in a way that led them to give their best in the IFA Shield and then against Sana FC in the AFC Cup. The boys’ performance was particularly superb in the opening AFC Cup tie against Sana FC. We created three clear sitters that could not be converted. Naturally, I have been able to come up with performance within a short period of time, with players who are a little mentally low and disjointed,” Mukherjee said.

The former international defender however is quite aware of the fact that his assignment with the East Bengal seniors will be over once the team’s AFC Cup engagement ends.