Under his guidance, the 33rd Santosh Trophy title has helped Sanjoy Sen create rare significance! Under his guidance Mohun Bagan came out of the seven-year curse, winning the I-League in 2014-15 since the competition was launched as I-League in 2007. 

Sanjoy Sen again guided Bengal to break its six-year curse with an inspiring victory over Kerala on Sunday in Hyderabad, clinching the 33rd Santosh Trophy title.

When asked which is more memorable, Sen, speaking to Parallel Sports on Monday morning explained, "Helping Mohun Bagan win I-league in 2014-15 was a great feeling undoubtedly. Even, under my coaching Mohammedan Sporting won the IFA Shield after four decades. That was also highly satisfactory. But winning the Santosh Trophy for Bengal after six years is a completely different feeling."

He continued, “More importantly, it was my first assignment as a coach of Bengal for the Santosh Trophy. I got the job after 27 years. But I never questioned in the last 26 years why I have been deprived. Even I know questions were raised over my appointment as the coach. Rather I am thankful to the IFA secretary Anirban Dutta and the coaches' selection committee for selecting me as the coach. So, this has been a very special feeling for me." 

Sen however raised questions over the chief national coach's sincerity about the Bengal footballers' chances of getting national call-ups. 

"Are Bengal footballers still not eligible to get national team call-ups? Is the chief national coach aware of the Santosh Trophy where Bengal footballers remained unbeaten? Was there any scouting program during the Santosh Trophy? I do not know,” stated Sen. 

He also expressed disappointment over the attitude of ISL clubs regarding their initiative to promote potential local footballers. He added, “I have doubt whether other franchise clubs in the ISL want to promote Indian footballers at all."

"But cannot I expect that East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, and Mohammedan Sporting to come forward, scout footballers from these kinds of competitions and try to promote Bengal’s potential footballers?

When asked about his preparation and plans Sen revealed an interesting observation stating, “I started our preparatory camp on 13th October, on the last day of the Durga Puja festival. I wanted to observe whether the players were really keen to join the camp during our biggest festival."

He added, "I noticed 58 players attended on the day! Later on, I increased their passion through the motivational classes before and after training sessions.”