Kolkata: Mohun Bagan might have begun their pre-season training without chief coach Karim Bencherifa but the Moroccan on Tuesday said he was in constant touch with his deputy Mridul Banerjee and that the team was on course to do well in the upcoming 2013-14 season.
Busy with his AFC Pro Licence in Mumbai, Bencherifa joined the side only on Monday and he said: "I always got feedback from the assistant coach and the players. We have had a good pre-season training."
Talking to reporters for the first time this season, Bencherifa said they would have an intensive residential camp either in Durgapur or Kalyani.
Asked about the fourth foreigner which was rumoured to be Ranty Martins, Bencherifa refused to divulge any name but added: "We have shortlisted two strikers' names, you will get to know soon."
Mohun Bagan's ace forward Odafa Okolie is yet to join the side, but Bencherifa said: "He is likely to arrive in the first week of August. We are in touch with him and he would arrive soon. He is an experienced player and he knows the importance of the pre-season preparation."
Bencherifa termed the re-jigged Federation Cup home-away format a tricky one and said: "Let's see how the clubs cope up, but it sounds tricky and we are looking forward to it."
Mohun Bagan had a forgettable season last time around as they were docked 12 points as a penalty after the AIFF revoked a two-year ban.
As a result, Mohun Bagan had to fight relegation before finishing 10th in the standings. Speaking about last season, coach Bencherifa said: "It was the toughest part of my coaching career. We had to overcome so many huddles and it was not easy.
"We have learnt a lot from the experience and hope to do well this time around. Winning trophies is not the only thing. We are committed to playing good football in the upcoming season," Bencherifa added.
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