Panaji: Gouramangi Singh spent four years as assistant coach at FC Goa with two different coaches. His spell as chief coach came to a premature end, in less than four months, after four games in the Indian Super League (ISL) and four in Asian football.The club announced the mutual parting of ways on Friday, terming the former India captain as someone who brought a strong work ethic and a professional approach to his time at the club.“Gouramangi has been a valued part of FC Goa for a long time,” Goa CEO Ravi Puskur said on Friday. “He brought real commitment and professionalism to his work here, and we are grateful for everything he has given the club. While things did not work out as we had both hoped, we wish him every success in the next stage of his career.”Gouramangi was the first full-time Indian coach at Goa.Devoid of stars from previous seasons, he took over a competitive squad, but results didn’t go his way. Goa lost against hosts FK Arkadag in Turkmenistan in the AFC Champions League Two playoff, and the team was knocked out of the group-stage of the AFC Challenge League after losing two of the three games.In the Indian Super League (ISL), Goa started with two home draws against Chennaiyin FC and SC Delhi, won away against Inter Kashi, and returned home to lose against Bengaluru FC after the visitors scored a controversial stoppage-time winner.“Of course, when it comes to results, there are no excuses, but this is a new team with several players making their debuts in the top tier,” Gouramangi had previously told TOI. “I have no complaints about what the boys did in the ACL (AFC Challenge League). They showed a desire to win and tried hard too. Let’s remember this is a new team. I would have been worried if the boys are not feeling good about each other or they’re not feeling good about what we are trying to do as a team. Then it would be a bad moment for me.”Assistant coach Shameel Chembakath will take charge of the team on an interim basis.Goa are expected to sign a new foreign coach in the next 24 to 48 hours. According to sources, the new coach is likely to be another Spaniard, just like the last four ones: Sergio Lobera (2017-2020), Juan Ferrando (2020-22) Carlos Pena (2022-23) and Manolo Marquez (2023-26).Contrary to widespread speculation on social media, Manolo is not returning to Goa for a second stint.Manolo won two Super Cup trophies for Goa and managed the team in the AFC Champions League Two, the second tier of Asian football.
