Sushil Bhattacharya


Sushil Bhattacharya was an Indian football player and coach. He was the first manager of the India women's national football team.

Playing career

Born in Bagdogra, Bhattacharya began his playing career with Town Club in Baharampur, representing them in the IFA Shield. He then played for Vidyasagar College and Sporting Union, before signing for East Bengal in 1945. With East Bengal he won the Calcutta League and IFA Shield, and earned a call-up to the national team in 1946. He moved to Eastern Railway in 1949, returning briefly to East Bengal on loan in 1951, for the Durand Cup.

Coaching career

After retiring as a player, Bhattacharya began his coaching career with Eastern Railway, as an assistant coach. He later became the first-ever professional coach of East Bengal. He won the IFA Shield and Calcutta League with East Bengal in 1961. In 1975, he came the first-ever manager of the Bengal women's team, and the first-ever manager of the newly formed India women's national football team.