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Hockey India has announced that the retiring goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will become the new head coach of the Jr. men's team following the Olympics 2024 bronze medal win on August 8, Thursday. Sreejesh was one of the stars of the show as India won the bronze medal for the second time in a row, after beating Spain 2-1. Sreejesh made a couple of important saves during the contest as he capped off a brilliant campaign with the medal.
Sreejesh had announced that he wouldn't be pulling off a U-turn when it comes to his retirement right after the match and the reason has now been revealed, as he will don the hat of a head coach for the first time. HI announced the decision on social media after the match on August 8.
"The Legend makes another Legendary move. P R Sreejesh has been appointed as the new head coach of Jr. Men's Hockey Team. From playing to coaching, you continue to inspire all the youngsters. Looking forward to your coaching stint!" said HI on Instagram.
HI Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh had made the announcement after the game. Singh said that HI will discuss the decision with SAI and Government of India soon.
"Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has played his last match today, but today I want to announce that Sreejesh will be the head coach of the Junior India Hockey team...We will discuss this with the SAI and the Government of India...," said Singh to ANI.
In an exclusive interview with India Today before the Olympics 2024, Sreejesh had expressed his interest in coaching and called it his passion.
"Yes, coaching is my passion. Being a goalkeeper, I am the coach on the ground. I communicate with my defence and organise them. Then I talk to the midfielders, the forwards and I correct them. So I may have watched more matches on the ground than the coaches from the sidelines. For me, I have worked atleast with close to 15 coaches. So I don't want to waste that experience. So in the future, I will definitely come into that role," said Sreejesh.
Sreejesh is expected to take the role after the celebrations are done after the bronze medal win.
