Derrick Pereira to be new Salgaocar FC coach

51-year-old Derrick Pereira will become the new head coach of former I-League champions Salgaocar FC next season. This was confirmed by club secretary Raj Gomes to a news agency yesterday. After the turbulences this season with foreign coaches, the sudden departure of Moroccan Karim Bencharifa with the club at the bottom of the I-League, Englishman David Booth coming in and, after the club was secure from the threat of relegation, also leaving the club; the Goans have decided to bring back an old club hero, who has been working successfully outside of the state.

Derrick Pereira is one of the best local Indian coaches in the I-League and he wanted to return home to Goa as he wanted to be closer to his family. He now returns to coach Salgaocar FC after having been at Vasco SC (2000-05), Mahindra United (2005-09) and then Pune FC in the last four years.

During Derrick Pereira’s four seasons in charge of Pune FC, the club finished third in the I-League 2009/10; fifth in both 2010/11 and 2011/12; while this season the club is assured of a top three finish though the title looks very unlikely.

Salgaocar FC will have to rebuild their team ahead of next season and a lot of work remains for Derrick Pereira before the new season begins.