Papas likely replacement; Beto rejoins club; ex-Man City defender coming
PANJIM: Armando Colaco will not be at the helm of Dempo SC next season as the club management has already informed him of their decision to not extend his contract beyond May 31, 2013. He shall no longer serve as the secretary of the club as well.
Shrinivas Dempo, chairman of Dempo group of companies, informed the high profile coach, who has been on the hot seat at the club for 13 seasons, on Wednesday to convey his contract would not be renewed. Under Armando, Dempo became one of the top teams in the country having won five national league titles, one Federation and Durand Cup. In the 2007-08 season, Colaco guided Dempo to become the first Indian club to make it into the AFC Cup semi-finals. The 59-year-old from Curtorim had hinted back in March that he shall not be at the helm of the club in the 2013-14 season.
“To be very fair and honest, I have been talking to some other coaches. We completely respect Armando’s contribution to our team. He has been primarily responsible along with the team to fetch so many I-League and other coveted tournaments and league titles. I just felt that it’s time to move on,” Dempo told Goal.com.
While Arthur Papas has been linked heavily with Dempo, the Australian coach is yet to sign the contract. “He (Armando) has been there for almost 15 years. You need fresh ideas to flow in a fresh environment. Legally his contract is getting over. So this is the time for the management to relook into getting somebody new. I have been discussing with a few coaches. We haven’t signed on the dotted line with anyone as yet. In the next week, you will hear from us,” he mentioned. Papas’ name, however, has been doing the rounds for some time now.
It is reliably learnt that Dempo are to organize a farewell party for Armando on May 31.
Armando’s problems surfaced after the peculiar situation created by Rohan Ricketts on the question concerning an aspect of the contract that ultimately led to Rohan’s exit from Dempo.
Armando told Herald that he had met Shrinivas yesterday and that he had parted ways on an amicable note. “I am yet to decide about my future. There are some offers from some clubs, but I will decide only after May 31,” stated Armando, who enjoyed a unique two-in-one position at Dempo for long time, being the head coach-cum-secretary, something unusual in professional football club management.
Armando has been the most successful coach of an I-League club, having even been selected to coach the National India team and was offered the coaching stint by AIFF, which he turned down because of his contract with Dempo, which he did not want to end due to his special relationship with Dempo.
It may be recalled, Dempo had earlier signed off its manager Custodio Almeida and appointed Jonathan d’Souza after investigations by the club management.
Meanwhile, Brazilian footballer Roberto ‘Beto’ Mendes Silva has made a comeback at Dempo after a gap of two years with Churchill Bros.
The 34-year-old had previously played for Dempo from 2006 to 2011 in which he won three I-League titles. His last assignment was with Churchill Brothers where he helped them win the 2012-13 I-League title. Beto, actually, wanted to leave Dempo a few years before his first contract would end, but could not do so. He had even met Shrinivas then, but due to his contractual obligation, Beto had to cointinue with Dempo. It is significant that he is now rejoining the club after knowing that Armando would not be at the helm of affairs of the club next season.
Alongwith Beto, whose Brazil Football Academia (BFA) is being shifted to Kolkata, several other players have renewed their contracts. These include Shubhasis Roy Choudhary (goalkeeper), Laximikant Kattimani (goalkeeper), Godwin Franco, Clifford Miranda, Debarata Roy. Ex-Mumbai FC midfielder Gabriel Fernandes is the new signing.
Dempo are also expected to sign a former Manchester City defender, currently playing in Australia. He had played in EPL about five years ago.
