In an uncharacteristic way, the Bengali midfielder gave out his future plans, which would depend on the outcome of the I-League this season.

East Bengal’s midfield general Mehtab Hossain indicated how hungry the Red and Golds are for the I-League crown when he announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season should Trevor James Morgan’s outfit fail to win the competition.

“I promise that this will be my last season at East Bengal if we don’t win the league,” the former India international remarked at the I-League launch event in New Delhi on Tuesday.

“This year is very important for me. For the last five years or so, we have come so close but could never win it. Football is a team game, yes, but not winning the trophy also makes me sad as I am not being able to help the team after getting that close,” he further added.

The diminutive professional has had a brilliant season so far, playing a pivotal part in East Bengal’s Calcutta Football League winning campaign before establishing himself as a regular in Steve Coppell-coached Kerala Blasters, which finished second-best in the third edition of the Indian Super League (ISL).

“You get frustrated when you don’t win a trophy and the same is happening with me. I will not be retiring but I will not be continuing with East Bengal,” he said.

The Kolkata-based club have already started their preparations for the top-tier league even though only a single foreigner – Wedson Anselme - has been taking part in the practice sessions so far. East Bengal will start their campaign against Aizawl FC on 7th January.