Sailendra Nath Manna was born on September 1, 1924, in Batra, West Bengal. He began playing football at the age of 14 and joined Howrah Union Club in 1940 at 16. In 1941, he represented Calcutta University in the Inter-University Football Tournament. The following year, in 1942, he left Howrah Union to join Mohun Bagan Athletic Club, one of India's most iconic and enduring football teams.
Sailen Manna remained a dedicated player for the iconic green-and-maroon Mohun Bagan club for an impressive 19 years, retiring in 1960. He captained the team from 1950 to 1955. Remarkably, he never accepted any payment from the club, choosing instead to rely solely on his salary from the Geological Survey of India, where he was employed. Under his captaincy, Mohun Bagan clinched the Durand Cup five times and secured the IFA Shield on six occasions. He also led the West Bengal football team as captain, guiding them to three consecutive Quadrangular Championship titles from 1952 to 1954.
Sailen Manna represented the Indian national football team at the 1948 London Olympics. During the tournament, he missed a penalty in a closely contested match against France, which India lost 1-2. Notably, the entire Indian team played barefoot, drawing significant attention from Western media and even Princess Margaret. Manna later captained the Indian team at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
Facts:
Manna started his playing career for Howrah Union, then a club in the 2nd Division Kolkata Football League, in 1940.
After turning out for the club for a couple of seasons, he joined Mohun Bagan in 1942 and continued playing for the club till his retirement in 1960.
Between 1950 and 1955, he featured as the club's captain.
During his 19 year association with the club as player, he reportedly earned only Rs/-19.
Sailen Manna was a part of the Indian Football Team for the 1948 London Olympics, where Indian lost to France by a margin of 1-2.
Under Manna's captaincy, India won the Gold Medal in the 1951 Asian Games and also won the Quadrangular Tournament for four consecutive years from 1952 to 1956.
In 1953, the England Football Association rated him among the 10 best skippers of the world in its yearbook.
Manna was also the captain of the Indian team in 1952 Olympics[9] and a member of the 1954 Asian Games.
He used to keep a picture of Goddess Kali, barefoot conqueror of demons, tucked away in his pocket.
Missing the first penalty kick against France in the London Olympics and turning down the chance of taking the second penalty because he was afraid of missing again is one of the his greatest regret in life.
India had not gone to the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, with him as captain, because the Indian Football Federation had not realized its importance, which is another regret in his life.
He was included in the list of the 10 best Captains of the world by the English FA in 1953.
Manna was awarded the Padma Shri in 1971 by the Government of India.
He was also awarded the "Footballer of the Millennium" by All India Football Federation in 2000.
Manna was awarded "Mohun Bagan Ratna" in 2001.
Records:
Included in the list of the 10 best Captains of the world by English FA in 1953.
Awarded the Padma Shri in 1971 by the Government of India.
Awarded the "Footballer of the Millennium" by All India Football Federation in 2000.
Awarded "Mohun Bagan Ratna" in 2001.
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