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Bagan name Barreto as captain, Darby coach

July 25, 2011 20:51 IST

Mohun Bagan named 35-year-old Brazilian Jose Ramirez Barreto as their captain for the upcoming season while presenting Englishman Steve Darby as the coach in a function at the club tent.

Amid thunderous cheers from supporters in green and maroon, the club also announced a 29-member squad with a star-studded forward line-up that includes their top recruit Okolie Odafa and India striker Sunil Chhetri.

The club also said they would conduct trials for Australian defender Simon Storey and Brazilian midfielder Hudson Lima Silva for two vacant slots.

Barreto had an injury-ridden unforgettable season that saw Mohun Bagan return trophy-less, finishing a disappointing sixth in the I-League.

But the club think-tank retained faith on the inspirational Barreto who will have goalkeeper Shilton Paul as his deputy.

An expert for ESPN-Star Sports channel, the 56-year-old Darby was with Thailand under-23 team prior to joining Mohun Bagan.

The Liverpool-born coach obtained his UEFA A Licence in 1979 and became an official FIFA instructor for the Oceania region in 1981 before coaching more than seven teams.

The club also announced the appointment of another Englishman, Jonathan Corner, as their physio-cum-rehab specialist.

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