Exciting news for the nascent Indian Super League! Roberto Carlos, the left back who used the Magnus effect to launch one of the most spectacular free kicks in the history of the sport is to become the player manager of the Delhi Dynamos in the ISL’s second season starting this October.
The Brazilian legend finished his playing career in unhappy circumstances at Anzhi Makachkala in 2012. He then had coaching spells in the Turkish league managing Sivasspor and Akhisar Belediyespor. At 42 years of age, he will be the oldest player in the ISL. The other Delhi marquee is Alessandro Del Piero.
Carlos said: “I am looking forward to this stint as an opportunity to impart new playing techniques to players, hone their skills.
“I am humbled by the immense support from Indian fans which motivated me to come here and play for Delhi Dynamos.”
Carlos will be the second Brazilian to manage a club in the ISL; Zico preceding him, in charge of FC Goa. The inaugural winners were Atletico De Kolkata. The ISL is now the place to find the answers to “Where are they now?” with Nicholas Anelka player manager of Mumbai City FC, Christian Trezeguet, Roberto Pires, Luis Garcia, and Freddy Lungberg resuscitating their playing careers. Thierry Henry, Raul Gonzalez, Milan Baros, and Andrei Arshavin have been mentioned as realistic possibilities to join the ISL’s second season.