Preparing East Bengal for their first season in the Indian Super League amidst the coronavirus pandemic will be a supreme challenge, said the club’s newly-appointed coach Robbie Fowler on Saturday.

During a virtual press conference, talking about the task at hand, the Liverpool and England legend said, “No doubt, it will be a challenge for football in the world to get going again in such situations and circumstances, we need to adapt.” 

“We know we can do it. It is a challenge we can’t wait to start.”

On Friday, it was confirmed that Fowler had made India the latest stop of his much-travelled career after he gave up as manager of Australia’s Brisbane Roar this year to join the Red and Gold outfit on a two-year deal.

“We will be sensible in our approach. We are here to do our work whether we are in a bubble or not. We will do everything to make the players as comfortable as possible.”

As of now, all the 11 ISL teams are currently confined to separate bio bubbles before the expected start of the league in November behind closed doors.

Talking about the Kolkata giant, Fowler told reporters from his home in Liverpool, “It’s a new club with a hundred-year-old heart. I and the staff around me will give everything to make the club successful.”

Only last month, East Bengal entered as the 11th team in the evergrowing Indian Super League, which in seven years of existence has become the country’s premier footballing competition.

However, the former striker will not be the only Briton in charge of an ISL team. Fowler follows Phil Brown, coach at Hyderabad, and ex-Burnley boss Owen Coyle, now at Jamshedpur.

Former India captain Rennedy Singh and ex-Man City midfielder Anthony Grant will act as Fowler’s deputy at the club.

The 45-year-old, who ended his playing career in 2012, coached at Muangthong United in Thailand before moving to Liverpool’s youth academy in 2013 and then Brisbane last year where he stayed until the pandemic halted play in March.

The Premier League’s seventh-highest goal-scorer insisted that the experience of building teams across the globe gives him the confidence to get the best out of East Bengal.

“We have had a history where we have built a team which struggled and made them successful over in Australia,” said Fowler, who is expected to join the Red and Gold brigade within a week.

Looking forward to the derby with ATK Mohun Bagan, the former footballer remarked, “In football rivalries are healthy, drives players and fans and the football clubs itself to be at their very best. We have been involved in various games throughout our careers and various derbies that have been incredibly huge and we know what it means to the clubs and the fans.”

During his playing days, the Liverpool legend was nicknamed “God” by the Anfield crowd and the Red and Gold faithfuls will be hoping he bestows the club with his blessings.