FC Goa had a very underwhelming outing in the last Indian Super League campaign and with their head coach spot vacant, the Gaurs have appointed their former player Carlos Pena as their new head coach. The Spaniard returns to India two years after moving on from Goa with a successful season in the ISL.
Pena shared how he had great offers in Spain from different clubs. The former Spanish defender apparently had a bigger role on the table from Albacete and other clubs as well. But once FC Goa’s offer was on the table, Pena felt it was an easy call for him.
“I am delighted to be back at FC Goa as the head coach. It was a very easy decision. And whilst there were offers for me to choose a bigger role in Albacete and in other clubs in Spain, the offer to take charge of FC Goa was too good to pass on,” Pena told FC Goa media.
Pena feels that after serving as an assistant manager and head of youth development, he has gained enough knowledge and experience to lead FC Goa. “Having served as an assistant coach and head coach of youth teams over the past two seasons, I believe this is the perfect opportunity for me. Everyone knows my love for this club and the history that we share. My only focus now is to get FC Goa back to the top. I’m here to work hard and bring more success to the club and I can’t wait to get started,” Pena continued.
FC Goa finished ninth last season in the ISL after they were considered one of the favourites at the start of the season when they won the Durand Cup. Things went upside down when ATK Mohun Bagan triggered the release clause in Juan Ferrando’s contract.
The Gaurs continued the rest of the season under the tutelage of Derrick Pereira and things did not work out for them on a major scale. The Gaurs created chances and made some terrific plays but were not consistent enough to bury their chances.
However now with Carlo Pena’s arrival, the team management and the fans will expect the golden days to return for FC Goa. FC Goa President Akshay Tandon was very optimistic about the move as he said, ” We are very pleased to welcome Carlos Peña to FC Goa as our head coach. Carlos is a leader and a real student of the game. He has a wealth of knowledge and a great understanding of the club and our philosophy of football.”
He also shared how he has done great job with the younger footballers back in Albacete as Tandon hopes that Pena continues that in Goa. He has done an amazing job at Albacete in his first season as head coach, nurturing the youth at the club. We hope that he will continue to do so for us,” he added.
Lastly, the FC Goa president reminisced the good times that Pena had in winning the league and guiding Goa to glory. They could not have taken a better call as their new manager.
“After 2 years with us as a player, during which he became a club icon, we believe this is the perfect time for him to return and are delighted he has done so. We will do our utmost to make sure he and his whole coaching team has the support he needs to be a huge success,” he concluded.
