ISL 2020-21: Bengaluru FC part ways with head coach Carles Cuadrat after string of disappointing results

Indian Super League side Bengaluru FC have parted ways with head coach Carles Cuadrat after a disappointing start to the 2020-21 season. “After deep deliberation with the management, we feel the club needs to head in a new direction – one where the ethos and philosophy of Bengaluru FC begins reflecting again. While we enjoyed success with Carles in the past, we felt there was a departure from the philosophy that we hold true this season, which prompted us to arrive at this decision,” Parth Jindal, Director of Bengaluru FC said via a statement released on the club’s website. Cuadrat, who joined the club first as an assistant to Albert Roca before taking charge in 2018, led Bengaluru FC to ISL title in his first year at the helm of affairs. Last season, Bengaluru finished third on the table but lost the two-legged semi-final against ATK Mohun Bagan (then known as ATK) with an aggregate scoreline of 3-2. “I want to express gratitude for everything that Carles has done for this wonderful football club. In the five years he has spent with us, he has been through all the ups and downs we’ve experienced at BFC. He was around when we lost the AFC Cup final and then the ISL final, before leading us to the ISL title on that night in Mumbai," Parth added. This season, Cuadrat was facing heavy criticism from fans, who demanded better from the head coach and the club after three defeats and three draws from nine matches so far. Bengaluru’s last match against Mumbai City FC ended in 1-3 loss, their third straight defeat in the season. Naushad Moosa has been named as interim head coach with immediate effect. “Naushad Moosa has been with the club for four seasons and we are confident he will get the team to play the kind of football that we have based our success on. Meanwhile, our search for a replacement has already begun and we will be bringing in someone who we believe can further the philosophy and style of this club. Our ambition of challenging for titles while developing young talent that goes on to represent the country remains unchanged. We are currently in a good position this season and we back the staff and players to build on it in the coming weeks,” Parth added. Cuadrat thanked the entire BFC family for the opportunity to be the team’s head coach. “I greatly appreciate the club for giving me the opportunity to be Head Coach. It has been a relationship where I have been treated really well and a club that I will always have fond memories of. “I would like to thank the owners and management whose vision has been excellent, players who have always been at my service, the staff that I have worked with and that have stood by my side across five seasons and the fans, who have been tremendous in their support, and without whom we could never have carved out so many beautiful nights at the Kanteerava and away. I wish the club all the luck through the season and beyond. This club and the people associated with it will forever be in my heart,”  the 52-year-old Spaniard said.