Founded: 7 May 2014
Ground: Salt Lake Stadium
Capacity: 85,000
Owner: Kolkata Games and Sports Pvt. Ltd.
Head Coach: Steve Coppell
League: Indian Super League
2017–18: ISL League: Finished 9th (10 teams)
2017-18: ISL Playoffs: Did not qualify
| Nationality | Number | Position | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 2 | DF | Aiborlang Khongjee |
| Brazil | 3 | DF | Gerson Vieira |
| England | 4 | DF | |
| India | 5 | DF | Arnab Mondal |
| India | 6 | DF | Ricky Lallawmawma |
| Brazil | 7 | FW | Éverton Santos |
| Morocco | 8 | MF | Noussair El Maimouni |
| Nigeria | 9 | FW | Kalu Uche |
| India | 10 | MF | Cavin Lobo |
| India | 11 | MF | Komal Thatal |
| Spain | 12 | MF | Manuel Lanzarote |
| India | 13 | GK | Avilash Paul |
| India | 14 | MF | Eugeneson Lyngdoh |
| India | 15 | FW | |
| India | 16 | FW | Jayesh Rane |
| India | 17 | MF | Pronay Halder |
| India | 18 | MF | Hitesh Sharma |
| India | 21 | DF | Sena Ralte |
| Cameroon | 23 | DF | André Bikey |
| India | 24 | GK | Debjit Majumder |
| India | 25 | MF | Yumnam Singh |
| India | 29 | GK | |
| India | 30 | MF | Malsawmzuala |
| India | 33 | DF | Prabir Das |
| India | 47 | MF | Sheikh Faiaz |
Background
After a disappointing season, ATK has appointed Sanjoy Sen as their mentor to recruit national players. The former Mohun Bagan A.C. head coach roped in some of his own former players who he had the experience of working with, along with former ATK players Arnab Mondal and Cavin Lobo.
ATK spent nearly a month in Spain for their pre-season, where they faced lower league teams like Real Murcia and Lorca FC. The Kolkata outfit also faced the Premier League side Fulham FC in the build-up to the Indian Super League.
Manager
After his stint with Kerala Blasters and Jamshedpur FC, Steve Coppell has an opportunity to make a significant impact on the Indian football scene.
The former Manchester United player has managed has managed a host of English teams, namely Crystal Palace. Coppell also plucked Ian Wright out of obscurity to sign for the Eagles.
An advocate of defensive discipline, Coppell has boosted the defensive side of the squad with the signing of defenders like John Johnson from Bengaluru FC and Andre Bikey, who followed his head coach Steve Coppell from Jamshedpur FC.
The emphasis on the signing of Moroccan Noussair El Maimouni as a defensive cover provides further insight on Coppell’s style of play.
Transfers
The team moved early to sign Kalu Uche from Delhi Dynamos in March. They also acquired the services of defender John Johnson from Bengaluru and forward Balwant Singh from Mumbai as early as June. Further additions like Moroccan Noussair El Maimouni and the Brazilian duo of Gerson Vieira and Everton Santos have bolstered the ATK squad.
What to Expect
Last season was the worst in the short history of the Kolkata team. The two-time winners of the ISL enter the new season with a manager who has a decent track record. With smart recruitment of players, ATK kick off the 2018/19 season with increased optimism and the verve to retain their crown.