Jamshedpur, June 5: Legendary footballer Shyam Thapa, best known for his bicycle kick goal against East Bengal that gave Mohun Bagan the IFA Shield in 1979, is tipped to take over as technical adviser of the Tata Football Academy (TFA).

Thapa, who till now was associated with the Durgapur-based Mohun Bagan-SAIL Football Academy as its technical director, was in the city recently to discuss his new role with officials of the Tata Football Academy (TFA).

“His name is under consideration and it is likely that he could be handed over the responsibility of technical adviser,” a source in the TFA said.

“The former footballer has a lot to offer in technical operations required to run a soccer academy. He has played a vital role at the Mohun Bagan-SAIL Football Academy. And he is also aware about the nuances of training and selection,” the source added.

Thapa confirmed the development while speaking to The Telegraph from his Tollygunge residence in Calcutta. “I have held discussions with the TFA management and also appeared for an interview. They told me that they would get back to me in a week,” he said.

One of the finest strikers of his time, Thapa, who guided the Nepal football team (2004-08) as chief coach and was also the director of the Asian Football Federation Youth Development Programme till last year, said he had bid adieu to the Mohun Bagan-SAIL Academy.

“I’m no more with the Durgapur academy,” he said.

However, he was not very forthcoming on the details “There were some serious problems related to finance. Besides, Mohun Bagan Club is presently pre-occupied with some other football-related issues,” he said.

Thapa played for East Bengal for six years and then also captained Mohun Bagan. Thapa also had a stint with Mafatlal Mills in Mumbai and represented the country in 1974 and 1978 Asian Games.

The need for a full-fledged technical adviser for the TFA has been felt for quite some time now. “It’s important to appoint a person with technical expertise. He would be able to put more emphasis on training, which is now being controlled by two coaches,” the source said.

However, there was no plan to appoint a director for the TFA. The likes of former soccer greats — Chuni Goswami, P.K. Banerji and Arun Ghosh — have headed the body. Former Calcutta footballer Md Habib has also had a stint with the academy.

But right now it has no one at its helm.