Panaji: FC Goa have been bolstered with the contract extension of Sandesh Jhingan as the club captain continues for another year, despite a reduced budget that has seen key players look elsewhere.Last season, Jhingan led Goa in the AFC Champions League Two, Indian Super League (ISL) and the Super Cup, where the team triumphed, putting it across East Bengal at home. This season, with coach Manolo Marquez bringing an end to his three-year stint in Goa, and several players moving away due to budgetary constraints, Jhingan’s decision to stay will provide comfort.“Jhingan is a high-profile footballer who also captains the national team, so it’s natural that he would have had offers from other clubs. For Goa, he’s a leader, a huge influence in the dressing room and the team had to be built around him,” said a senior official at the club.According to sources, the contract formalities will be completed in the next 24 to 48 hours.Jhingan, 32, joined Goa from Bengaluru FC in 2023 and was part of the leadership group at the club under Manolo. His three-year contract ended at the end of last season, and with uncertainty at Goa, the India defender was contacted by ISL champions East Bengal, Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan SG, NorthEast United and Mumbai City.“Jhingan believes it’s important to continue with Goa at this stage,” said another official. “The club is well established and he’s comfortable in Goa. Given that Goa are the most consistent team in the ISL, repeatedly pushing and qualifying for the playoffs, it makes sense to extend the partnership. Money was never a factor.”The India captain had interest from lower division clubs in England and a top tier club in Serbia but could not make a move due to concerns over a work visa.Goa won the Super Cup last season and have now qualified for the AFC Champions League Two playoff against FK Arkadag in Turkmenistan on Aug 12. The winner will qualify for the group stage of Asian football’s second-tier club competition while the losing side will have to settle for a place in the AFC Challenge League.With Manolo parting ways with the club, Goa have appointed an all-Indian coaching staff with Gouramangi Singh as head coach.At least three domestic starters – Brison Fernandes (Chennaiyin FC), Boris Singh (East Bengal) and Ayush Chhetri (Chennaiyin) – have moved to other clubs, while Spanish defender Pol Moreno is out of contract and Dejan Drazic has completed a move to Mohun Bagan.Goa have filled the gap with the signing of Argentinian playmaker Franchu and Spanish midfielder Alex Vallejo.
