Struggling East Bengal try Colaco luck
Armando Colaco was named East Bengal coach in an announcement that came along the expected lines.
Kolkata: Highly-rated Armando Colaco was today named East Bengal coach in an announcement that came along the expected lines.
Former India and Dempo coach Armando Colaco will succeed Marcos Falopa who resigned yesterday. As of now, Colaco will be given a contract of one year.
"He (Colaco) has given five I-League (and NFL) titles for Dempo. His knowledge about Indian football and the players is unparallelled. He is the best person for the job," East Bengal football secretary Santosh Bhattacharya told PTI.
Colaco, who guided Dempo to a first ever AFC Cup semifinals in 2008, will take charge of East Bengal four days prior to their marquee I-League clash against bitter rivals Mohun Bagan on November 24.
"We have already sent him the tickets, he's set to arrive on November 18, will watch the local league match the next day, and will take charge on November 20."
Hundreds of club supporters shouted 'Bring Back Trevor Morgan' when Falopa announced his resignation last evening.
But East Bengal management was apparently in no mood to bring back the highly successful Englishman under whom the club qualified for the AFC Cup quarterfinals with an unbeaten record.
The EB football secretary said Colaco was preferred over Morgan as the Englishman's request letter came only after they had finalised the former Dempo coach.
"Our discussion with Colaco was in an advanced stage, while Morgan's request letter came late. It was an unanimous decision and we're looking forward to a successful association."
60-year-old Colaco, who began his coaching career at Churchill Brothers, was roped in by Dempo after their relegation in the then National Football League as he went on to redefine the Goan club which went on to win the championship twice (2005 and 2007).
He also guided the side to three I-League titles (2007-08, 2009-10 and 2011-12) and once each in Durand Cup (2006) and Federation Cup (2004) in a landmark coaching stint lasting 12 consecutive seasons. He parted ways with Dempo in May.