Fernando Couto’s decision to agree to join India’s newly created Premier League Soccer project has resulted in what must have been a boost to his ego as he became the most expensive coach.

A series of prestigious players and coaches from all around the globe were up for auction as the six teams were entitled to each bid for an ‘icon’ player, two foreign players and a foreign coach.

Couto, who amassed 110 caps for the Seleccao, has no coaching experience but has a wealth of football knowledge having enjoyed a highly successful career spanning two decades and subsequently earning praise for his role as Braga’s Director of Football - a position he only recently left.

Bhaswar Goswami, the organiser of the ambitious project, was delighted with the auction process held in Calcutta. “This auction is unprecedented not only in the history of Indian football but also for world football,” he said.

Another former Portugal international, Maniche, was invited to take part in the competition as a player but declined the opportunity.

The most expensive player in the auction was Argentine striker Hernan Crespo, who was snapped up by Barasat for 640,000 euros.

Tom Kundert