After months of rumours, Wednesday evening FC Goa shared a hint of a possible partnership with RB Leipzig on their social media feeds. In last ISL season, FC Goa with 39 points topped the table and won the silverware. They have grabbed the spot in group stage in AFC Champions League 2021.
The partnership was digitally launched where the announcement was streamed live on FC Goa social media handles of Facebook and Youtube. The partnership will be technical collaboration that will run till June 2023, having option to extend beyond that.
The speculations started when FC Goa’s assistant coach Clifford Miranda was in Germany, a year ago to complete his A-License coaching program. Multiple pictures of the Miranda watching a match at Red Bull Arena and also with RB Leipzig Head-Coach Julian Nagelsmann excited the Goan fans.
The Austrian based Red Bull has already four owned football club across world. FC Red Bull Salzburg was the first club formed in 2005, who are peerlessly dominating the Austrian Bundesliga. Later in 2006, they purchased a MLS club Red Bull New York.
Their takeover steps didn’t stop, as they made their way to Germany football league and acquired playing rights of fifth-tier side SSV Markranstadt in 2009 and named it as RB Leipzig. Their progress have been seemless since then where they secured their place in Bundesliga by clinching promotion in 2016. They also hold ownership of Red Bull Bragantino who are currently competing in the top-tier of Brazilian football i.e., Serie A. Not only football but also they have teams in many other sports. Their dominance from energy drink manufacturer to leading sports teams in the world has been a fascinating journey. They have always possessed a different approach to develop and commercialize themselves in every corner of the world.
FC Goa released a press release saying, “FC Goa and RB Leipzig will conduct nationwide Soccer Camps in India to make football more accessible
With a vision to grow the beautiful game, the coming together of two of the biggest names in India and Germany presents an opportunity to exchange ideas and make footballing knowledge more easily accessible. The primary focus of the partnership will be Youth Development.
During this period of collaboration, coaches from RB Leipzig’s Academy will be welcomed to Goan shores to impart knowledge via workshops. FC Goa will also be sending coaches and players from the club’s youth set-up for further training and learning the intricacies of the game at RB Leipzig’s Youth Academy.
The Gaurs and The Red Bulls will work in tandem not only to help each other to grow internationally, but also for the development of football in India. The partnership will see both clubs launch a nationwide Soccer Camp programme. The FC Goa National Soccer Camps, both online and offline, supported by RB Leipzig will make superior footballing skills & knowledge accessible to all football enthusiasts across India.”
Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of RB Leipzig said, “We are looking forward for a successful partnership with FC Goa. The club is perfect for us having young, modern and innovative approach. The discussions with FC Goa were convincing and purposeful from the beginning. It gives us opportunity to represent Bundesliga in Indian in the best possible way. Our cooperation with FC Goa is the first step of a wider internationalisation strategy.”
Akshay Tandon, Co-Owner and President of FC Goa expressed, “We where in search of statergic as well as investor to take us to next level. We have found a right choise where RB Leipzig will help us in youth, infrastructure, technical expertise and coaching development.”
There has been past agreement of European clubs and Indian clubs like, ATK partnering with Atletico Madrid, FC Basel investment in I-League club Chennai City FC or recently City Football Group’s majority stake takeover are exemplary for Indian football’s recognition. The addition of Red Bull will be a crucial touch not only for FC Goa but also for further development of Goan football.
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