Bengaluru, February 13: I-League champions Aizawl FC announced the appointment of Santosh Kashyap as the coach of the senior team, a day after sacking Portuguese coach Paulo Menezes for their poor run this season.
"Aizawl Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Santosh Kashyap as the new Head Coach for the senior team," read a tweet by the club. "Welcome Coach Kashyap, and all the best!"
AIZAWL FC APPOINTED SANTOSH KASHYAP AS THE NEW HEAD COACH
— Aizawl Football Club (@AizawlFC) February 13, 2018
Aizawl Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of
“Santosh Kashyap” as the new Head Coach for the senior team.
Welcome Coach Kashyap, and all the best!
- Aizawl FC Media Team pic.twitter.com/tskYdp7UVJ
The development comes after Menezes was shown the door by Aizawl FC as he was unable to inspire them to break a seven-match winless run.
The woes piled on Aizawl FC after they were fined Rs 3 lakh by the All India Football Federation following incidents of fan violence during their game against Mohun Bagan on January 25. Ten-man Aizawl drew that game 1-1. Aizawl FC team manager Hmingthan Sanga was allegedly raised his fist towards the referee for awarding Bagan a penalty. What's more, they are no longer in contention for the I-League title after collecting just 17 points in their 13 matches (four wins, five draws and four losses).
Santosh Kashyap was with the now-defunct Mumbai FC last season. He received the boot from the Mumbai I-League club after falling out with the players. He also questioned fans' upbringing after a 0-5 thrashing at the hands of DSK Shivajians. Mumbai FC eventually finished bottom and were relegated.
Kashyap had a good record with Shillong-based Royal Wahingdoh, leading them to the third spot in the 2015 season of the I-League.
While letting Menezes go, Aizawl said: "We expressed our appreciation of the hardwork and commitment of Paul Maneses but the match results matter most in professional football. All the best our beloved head coach Mr Paulo Menezes."
Menezes was understandably unhappy over receiving the boot. "All the players are with me. They are aware of what I'm doing, especially with the young players," Menezes was quoted as saying by the Times of India, adding the club was not upfront with him over transfers.