Noted football coach and former India player T K Chathunni has passed away at the age of 79. He was suffering from cancer-related ailments and breathed his last at a Kochi hospital on Wednesday morning.
Chathunni guided Kerala Police to their maiden Federation Cup triumph in 1990. He nurtured Indian legend I M Vijayan and former national player Joe Paul Ancheri during their formative years.
Chathunni managed top Indian clubs such as Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar FC, Dempo SC, Churchill Brothers and FC Kochin. He was also in charge of Chirag United and Josco FC in a managerial career spanning four decades.
Chathunni, who hailed from Chalakudy, played for Kerala, Goa, Services and Maharashtra at the senior level. He also represented EME (Secunderabad), Vasco SC (Goa), and Orkay Mills (Bombay).
Chathunni coached the Kerala Santosh Trophy team in 1979. He was at the helm of most of the major clubs in three football powerhouses - Bengal, Kerala and Goa.
Chathunni was instrumental in making Kerala Police a force to reckon with on the national stage in the early 90s. His success with the Kerala Police team paved the way for his entry into Kolkata.
Chathunni returned home in 1999 to take over the reins of India's first professional football club FC Kochin.
His autobiography is titled 'Football my soul.'