ISL: FC Goa buy time to sign coach as deadline nears

Panaji: FC Goa have sought more time from the Indian Super League (ISL) to sign their coach for the ensuing season. All franchises must sign their chief coach before the deadline of July 1 but FC Goa have told the organizers that they are compelled to wait till the order of the ISL Appeals Commission before deciding on the next course of action.
The ISL Appeals Commission is listening to an appeal from the Goan franchise on the harsh penalties imposed on them for the boycott of the ISL final prize distribution ceremony.The ISL Appeals Commission is expected to announce its order on July 9.
The sanctions include three and two year suspensions for co-owners Dattaraj Salgaocar and Shrinivas Dempo, while a fine of Rs 11 crore on the franchise and a penalty of 15 points has been described as “unprecedented.”
“It’s no rocket science to figure out that the franchise will not make any signings until there is clarity on the position with regards to points, monetary fine and suspension of the owners. Things should be clear only after that,” a source told TOI on Tuesday.
The league organizers have not replied to FC Goa’s mail as yet.
Until the ISL Regulatory Commission decided to hand FC Goa exemplary punishment, FC Goa were close to concluding talks with coach Zico. The Brazilian legend has done an exemplary job with the team in the last two years and there were talks that both parties were keen on an extended deal that would have kept Zico at the helm of affairs till December 2019.
In the last two months, several coaches have knocked on FC Goa’s doors, wanting to know if there is an opening. Former Croatia and Montenegro coach Zlatko Kranjcar was among the names that were doing the rounds, although the former Croatian star has now joined Dinamo Zagreb.
Delhi Dynamos and Chennaiyin FC are the two other franchises who have not as yet announced their coach. Dynamos are expected to make the announcement on deadline day while Chennaiyin FC will complete the contract signing formalities with Marco Materazzi in the next 48 hours.
Interestingly, according to ISL’s new guidelines, “all head coaches must at the least hold an AFC ‘B’ license or equivalent, and be in the process of obtaining their AFC ‘A’ Licence (or equivalent) coaching qualification.”