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Technical Director Derrick Pereira along with Clifford Miranda and Roma Cunillera have taken charge as the coaching team for FC Goa. The team takes up the reins as the Gaurs fight for the top spot and the coveted ISL trophy. Clifford Miranda will be the interim coach under the mentorship of Derrick Pereira.
Derrick Pereira has been with the club for the last three seasons, serving as the Assistant Coach in 2017/18 before taking up the role of the Technical Director last season. In this role, he headed FC Goa’s Youth Development, with three of his teams finishing as Champions. He was also in charge of the India U-23 team last year. He has previously managed Mahindra United, winning the National Football League in his maiden season. That established him as one of the premier coaches of the country as he went on to manage Pune FC, Salgaocar FC, DSK Shivajians and Churchill Brothers.
Clifford Miranda has been the Assistant Coach this season and was in charge of the Developmental Team till last season. Under his charge, the young Gaurs won the Goa Pro League whilst putting in impressive performances in the Second Division League and the Durand Cup. Clifford has been one of the mainstays of the Indian National Team midfield winning the SAFF Championships twice along with the AFC Challenge Cup. He has been equally successful at the Club level with five I-League titles under his belt with Dempo SC.
Spaniard Roma Cullinera, meanwhile, has been appointed as the Club’s Strength and Conditioning Coach. The Spaniard will also help the team in planning and facilitating the day to day training sessions of the club. Having worked under various coaches in Spain, he was last working for KAS Eupen under Claudio Makelele in the Belgian 1st Division.
FC Goa president Akshay Tandon welcomed the appointment saying, “We are confident in the abilities of our coaching staff to lead the team to a successful finish to the 2019/20 campaign. Derrick and Clifford have been with FC Goa for a few years and possess a deep understanding of the club and our philosophy. They have demonstrated the same with their past performances in the First team as well as at the youth levels.”
The trio face their first challenge when the Gaurs take on Hyderabad FC on February 5 at the Fatorda.
