2014 Hero Indian Super League champions Atlético de Kolkata have secured the services of Jose Francisco Molina Jimenez as their head coach ahead of the third edition of the Hero ISL. Molina’s arrival follows the departure of Antonio Lopez Habas to FC Pune City.The 45-year-old Spaniard, who was a goalkeeper in his playing days, has a big job on his hands as he looks to maintain the standards set by former coach Habas, who led ATK to a title in his first season and a semi-final berth in the second.Vastly experienced, Molina represented Spain in consecutive UEFA European Championships in 1996 and 2000 as well as the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Molina has had his fair share of silverware after doing the La Liga and Copa Del Rey double with Atlético Madrid in the 1995-96 season before joining Deportivo de La Coruna with whom he lifted another Copa Del Rey. As regards his managerial career, he has been in charge of Villarreal and Kitchee in the past.ATK co-owner Sanjiv Goenka expressed his delight after roping in Molina in a press release. "I welcome Jose Molina into our Atlético de Kolkata family. Molina's experience with leading clubs of Spain and other parts of the world makes him an ideal candidate to take our on field performance a few notches higher in his forthcoming assignment."Goenka also spoke about how Molina was already involved with ATK behind the scenes as they looked to regain the Hero ISL trophy this year. "He will be instrumental in building the team’s strategy and help us select some good prospective footballers for the upcoming season. We wish him all the success and I am definitely sure that he will showcase the finest quality of football under his able guidance that has become synonymous to Atlético de Kolkata," said Goenka.
