VARCA: Churchill Brothers Football Club have roped in Vasco based Derrick Pereira as their head coach for the ongoing Hero I-League season after Nigerian Affuzi turned down the offer to join the club. 

Derrick will take over as  the gaffer after the team's match against Minerva of Punjab slated for Sunday. 

Churchill Bros patron Churchill Alemao said that the 54-year old sportingly and willingly accepted the offer to coach the team, while at the same time  present coach Alfred Fernandes accepted to be the assistant coach. 

"It was mutually agreed, with Alfred happy to accept Derrick, who holds Pro Licence which is above the A-Licence held by Alfred," stated Churchill. 

"That apart, Derrick has wider experience with some of the former top teams in the I-League, having proved his mettle with the then Pune FC for four seasons, starting 2009. From Vasco Club, Derrick went on to coach Mahindra United, Pune FC, Salgaocar SC and DSK Shivajians for 2015-16 season,”

“He has excellent credentials and there are bright hopes that he will give the team the much-needed fillip in the second-leg matches, as we need to record victories and rise on the table," said Churchill.

Churchill praised coach Alfred for taking over the mantle at the crucial stage when there was hardly any time to select the players and then have well-organised and well-coordinated practice sessions. 

“We were given a very late entry into the Hero I-League by the AIFF and as such Alfred was the saviour. Imagine, we were never prepared at all. We did not have quality players. With just a week or so, Alfred did his best, no doubt, with an excellent victory against champions Bengaluru FC and a draw against Chennai,” he added

“I have spoken to Alfred first and then when he okayed it, the offer was given to Derrick, who accepted it despite the drawbacks that we acquired due to last-minute induction into the League. Let's hope for the best. I am very optimistic and I am looking for much better results and above all good, attractive, attacking and exciting football which will attract more fans at Tilak Stadium in Vasco to cheer the only Goan team in the national league," stressed Churchill.

Alfred, when contacted, was humble indeed. “Derrick is a senior, much experienced coach having coached leading football teams in the past. That apart he is a Pro coach. So, qualification wise, he stands taller. I have no ego problem. There will be no conflicts as he will be the overall in-charge,” 

“He will take over after the Sunday's match. After all, what matters most is the team's performance and it is victories that matter. I will lend him full assistance without any reservation, for I am a learner and as such I am looking forward to learn from him. Life till death is a learning process and I shall remain a student always," remarked Alfred.

“Two heads will roll into one. With understanding and with the hierarchy in place, there will be better plans and better organisation. The move by patron Churchill is timely. I was consulted on the matter and I agreed to, most willingly. Make no mistake, I am a team member and I strongly believe in team work,” added Alfred. 

“Derrick will be my leader. In the past also, I have worked with the other head coaches and I never had any problem with anyone.  The change came at the right time as the foreign coach Affuzi could not be roped in. The team will surely perform to their potential and I am sure there will be victories to add to our tally and take up higher on the points table which is what we are aiming at," summed up Alfred.

Former international footballer, Derrick, in his playing days, was rated as one of the best defenders that Goa has produced having played for Salgaocar and Tata Sports Club. He donned colours for the Goa State team at the Santosh Nationals since 1984, having been the captain at 1989 Nationals in Guwahati. His talent came to the fore as he led Goa to victory in 1980 Junior National Championship beating Kerala 8-2 in the final at Ernakulam.