Clifford brought in as Sporting Goa coach

Having lost the lead to Mohun Bagan on Friday, Sporting Clube de Goa on Saturday roped in former coach Clifford Chukuwama and asked current coach Vishwas Gaonkar to step down with immediate effect.

Taking a leaf out of East Bengal's book, who recalled former coach Subhas Bhowmick in place of Stanely Rozario after their failure to retain the Federation Cup, the Goans did not waste time in bringing in Clifford, who had been relieved of his duties as the head coach at the start of the season.

Club owner Peter Vaz told PTI that Gaonkar might have taken the club to top of the table at the end of the first phase but it was the worst performance overall this season.

Vaz pointed out that the club lost to Salgocar, for the first time in four years in the Governor's Cup, where it was champion three times and finished fifth in the Goa League.

The club head said Gaonkar have to take up the responsibility and accept failure.

"There's nothing wrong in it. It's all about accountability and I am sure he knows this. Age is also a factor for him so it's better to have him out," he said.

Vaz said Gaonkar put in his papers at the club office. He said though Gaonkar had all the right ingredients and was with the club for at least seven-eight years, it was time for some quick decision.

"We have to react quickly also. It's a modern era, there's no room for time.

"Our club is known for 'samba' style Brazilian football. We lacked the Samba football this time around," he said.

Efforts to contact Gaonkar went in vain. Two points behind new leaders Mohun Bagan (30), Sporting Clube de Goa will face Churchill Brothers in their next match on Sunday.