Falopa exits as East Bengal set for a tough phase

Kolkata: East Bengal's belief in continuity took a severe blow today when its high-profile Brazilian coach Marcos Falopa stepped down to bring to an end a 'tumultous' stint lasting less than five months.

Falopa, who was roped in with a lot of expectation after the exit of Englishman Trevor Morgan, appeared unhappy as he read out a joint statement with club secretary Kalyan Majumdar after their local league match against Peerless SC at the club tent.

"East Bengal was like my family and I tried my best to work together but this is football," Falopa said while reading out the statement.

The 64-year-old cited 'private problems' for the decision even as it was quite evident that Falopa had to quit under pressure from a section of players.

Falopa hinted that about 15 players from the squad of 22 had some differences with him but he termed these as normal in football.

"When you don't play to your potential, you make excuses that your position was changed ... We did not fare so badly as we played the AFC Cup semis," Falopa pointed out.

The announcement came amid shouts of 'Bring Back Morgan' from the club supporters as the atmosphere looked very unlike East Bengal that had sported a steady line-up with Morgan at the helm for the last three years.

East Bengal secretary Kalyan Majumdar confirmed that Morgan had sent them an e-mail but also hinted at the same time that the club thinktank was not interested to bring him back.

"I get many job applications from unemployed coaches everyday, Morgan too has written to me," Majumdar said.

Incidentally, Falopa recommended former Dempo coach Armando Colaco's name for the hot seat, but Majumdar refused to divulge any details.

"It's the football secretary who will take the call," he said.

With less than a fortnight to go for their I-League derby against Mohun Bagan, East Bengal clearly find themselves in doldrums at the start of the season.

Under Falopa, East Bengal have not done that badly in the past four-and-a-half months as they made the AFC Cup semi-final for the first time and lost only to the champions Kuwait SC.

In I-League they have played five matches, bringing home seven points.