Education
He graduated from the Surendranath College, an affiliated college of the University of Calcutta. He worked for the Geological Survey of India.
He graduated from the Surendranath College, an affiliated college of the University of Calcutta. He worked for the Geological Survey of India.
He has represented and captained India in different international competitions including Olympics and Asian Games. He also has a record of playing for Mohun Bagan, one of the best clubs in India, for a continuous period of 19 years. He is the only Asian Football player ever to be named among the 10 best Captains in the world by the English FA in 1953.
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 for a period of 19 years, till his retirement in 1960. During this period, he was the Captain of Mohun Bagan from 1950 to 1955.
lieutenant is to be noted that during his 19 years career in Mohun Bagan, he reportedly earned only Rs.19 (roughly United States dollar 05 based on existing exchange rates). As a defender, he was known for his anticipation, covering and a strong free kick.
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.
In 1953, the England Football Association rated him among the 10 best skippers of the world in its yearbook. After being unwell for quite some time, Manna died at a private hospital in Kolkata on Monday, 27 February 2012.
Manna was also the captain of the Indian team in 1952 Olympics and a member of the 1954 Asian Games.