ISL 2021-22: FC Goa announce Derrick Pereira as new coach, becomes second Indian manager in league

ISL 2021-22: After a tumultuous last few days which saw coach Juan Ferrando leave for ATK Mohun Bagan after his sudden decision to trigger his release clause, FC Goa have now gone ahead and confirmed the appointment of Derrick Pereira as the club’s new head coach. He becomes the second Indian manager currently in the league. Khalid Jamil is the other one, currently in charge of NorthEast United FC. Follow ISL 2021-22 live updates on InsideSport.IN

Also read: ISL 2021-22: ATK Mohun Bagan’s ambitious move for Juan Ferrando leaves FC Goa in despair

Pereira, who is currently with the club as its Technical Director, had earlier taken charge of FC Goa along with Clifford Miranda and Roma Cunillera during the fag end of the 2019/20 season after the departure of Sergio Lobera.

ISL 2021-22: FC Goa announce Derrick Pereira as new coach, becomes second Indian manager in league

During his brief stint as coach of the Gaurs, the side finished top of the Indian Super League table at the end of the 2018/19 season – paving the way for FC Goa’s qualification for group stages of the 2021 AFC Champions League.

We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Derrick Pereira as the club’s new head coach. 💪

Read more at https://t.co/V0URgCqYw1#ForcaGoa #AmcheGaurs pic.twitter.com/eOOFOFkHi7

— FC Goa (@FCGoaOfficial) December 21, 2021

“It is a great honour to become head coach of a club I have been. It is a very proud day for both me and my family. This is a wonderful opportunity, but there is also a lot of work ahead of us and I am eager to get onto the training ground to start working with the players.

“I would like to thank the club management for this opportunity and thank the club’s supporters for the incredible welcome they have already given me. I am very excited to begin our journey together,” Derrick Pereira said.

ISL 2021-22: FC Goa announce Derrick Pereira as new coach, becomes second Indian manager in league

The 59-year-old has extensive experience of managing a variety of clubs in India. Derrick Pereira began his coaching career with the U-19 team of Salgaocar before taking charge of Vasco where he stayed for 5 seasons.

In 2005, the former Indian International joined Mahindra United which proved to be a glorious association as the club went on to lift the National League once, Fed Cup once and IFA Shield twice during his four-year spell. He also took charge of Pune FC, Salgaocar, DSK Shivajians and Churchill Brothers.

Speaking on the appointment, FC Goa’s Director of Football, Ravi Puskur said, “We’re pleased to announce that Derrick has taken over as the Head Coach of the team. He’s been ingrained into the fabric of the club and is well versed with our players and staff with a vast majority of them having worked with him.

ISL 2021-22: FC Goa announce Derrick Pereira as new coach, becomes second Indian manager in league

“He will settle into the day to day workings of the team seamlessly and we’re certain he’ll continue to push our brand of football. A Goan taking over FC Goa is the perfect representation of what we believe in and we’re confident he will make his mark on this team and will continue to push the team towards its objectives.”

Derrick Pereira has been with the club since 2017, serving as the assistant coach in 2017/18 before taking up the role of the Technical Director at the beginning of the 2018/19 season.

In this role, he headed FC Goa’s Youth Development, with three of his teams finishing as Champions. He was also in charge of the India U23 team in 2019.

ISL 2021-22: FC Goa announce Derrick Pereira as new coach, becomes second Indian manager in league