Kolkata: East Bengal’s local league match against Peerless SC on Wednesday is set to be their high profile coach Marcos Falopa’s last outing, bringing an end to the Brazilian’s “turbulent” stint, which has lasted less than six months.
“He will announce his decision to the media after tomorrow’s CFL match in the afternoon,” a top East Bengal official said on Tuesday.
Dempo coach Armando Colaco, who is expected to be here by Thursday, is said to be taking over the charge, even as the EB official said, “We’ll declare the name only after Falopa makes the announcement tomorrow.”
But he added that the club had not contacted anybody.
Asked about the contract, he said, “He has a one-year contract but since he’s leaving on his own there won’t be an issue.”
Falopa took over the reins from Englishman Trevor Morgan who had a successful three-season stint with the red and gold brigade including their AFC Cup quarterfinals qualification with an unbeaten record, a feat that no other Indian club had achieved.
But Falopa ran into rough weather as the players, especially the foreign duo of Ryuji Sueoka and James Moga, had “revolted” against the Brazilian’s style of play.
The EB official, however, said Falopa was leaving on his own and there was no pressure on him to quit.
“It’s his personal decision,” he added.
Under Falopa, East Bengal have not fared that badly in the past four-and-a-half months as they made the AFC Cup semifinal for the first time only to lose to the eventual champions Kuwait SC.
In I-League, they have played five matches, bringing home seven points.
Falopa was in charge when East Bengal thrashed Shillong Lajong FC 4-0 in Shillong last month. (PTI)