What’s the story?
The much-maligned and under pressure East Bengal manager Trevor Morgan has resigned from his post after yesterday’s home loss to DSK Shivajians, paving the way for Armando Colaco to return to the Barasat-based club. Colaco is expected to replace the Englishman Morgan and take charge of the team for the upcoming Federation Cup.
Colaco confirmed East Bengal’s approach for him and his availability of joining the club only if they sort out their issues with Morgan. He also expressed his desire to take charge of the team before the last two I-League matches.
The context
East Bengal lost their fourth successive game in the I-League on Sunday when DSK Shivajians inflicted a 1-0 defeat on the Red and Golds. The pressure on Morgan had reached the tipping point after the previous weekend’s Kolkata derby defeat to Mohun Bagan, and his resignation after yesterday’s loss has come as little surprise.
Colaco has managed East Bengal in the past, from 2013 to 2015, and is a former I-League winner. With the Red and Golds desperately in search of a title win, Colaco might just prove to be an inspired appointment.
The heart of the matter
About 200 East Bengal fans staged a protest last Friday to force Morgan to leave amid the club’s poor run of form. Three straight defeats before the DSK game meant there was little room to escape for Morgan, who was greeted with “go back Morgan” chants by disillusioned fans.
Goalkeeper Rehenesh TP also had an altercation with the protesting fans, suggesting the club have not been in an ideal situation.
What’s next?
With only two matches left of this I-League season, East Bengal are out of the title race and will play to finish in the top three after a wretched recent run of results. Colaco will be tasked with leading the Red and Golds to a successful Federation Cup campaign. The cup competition, the winner of which will qualify for the AFC Cup next season, starts on the 7th of May.
Author’s take
Morgan was on borrowed time at East Bengal way before yesterday’s defeat to DSK. The writing was on the wall for him right after East Bengal succumbed to the 2-1 loss to Bagan that effectively put them out of the title equation.
With yesterday’s upset, staying on at the club for Morgan would have been akin to finding himself in the middle of a never-ending storm. The bridge with the club’s supporters had already been broken, and Colaco now has his task cut out to motivate a group of players that has faltered badly in the last few weeks.
