It was impossible to continue in an unprofessional setup: Bhattacharya explains ONGC resignation

Subrata Bhattacharya (right)

ONGC have become the sixth I-League club this season to change their coach as they have appointed former Mohun Bagan and Air India coach Santosh Kashyap following the resignation of Subrata Bhattacharya.

Bhattacharya submitted his resignation on Sunday after a creditable goalless draw against Salgaocar in Margao on Friday but while speaking to Sportskeeda, he revealed that he had been contemplating the decision sometime before the Salgaocar clash.

“I was considering resigning after losing to Pailan Arrows two weeks back in Kolkata but I decided against it at the time. See, the environment and setup was totally unprofessional here (at ONGC) so it was impossible for me to continue,” Bhattacharya told Sportskeeda.

Although ONGC are rock-bottom in the I-League after 11 rounds, they did register some notable results under Bhattacharya as they held Prayag United and Mohun Bagan before ending the unbeaten start of defending champions Dempo by beating them 3-1 in New Delhi.

This was Bhattacharya’s second stint at ONGC, having also been in charge in the 2010-11 I-League and the former Ar-Hima coach stated that ONGC failed to keep their promise that they had made while re-appointing him.

“I was given certain assurances when I was given the job the second time. I was promised complete freedom to do my job but that didn’t happen,” the AFC A licensed coach said.

Kashyap is expected to take charge of ONGC from their next match against Shillong Lajong on December 22.