FC Goa have confirmed that Juan Ferrando has triggered a release clause in his contract allowing him to leave the club with immediate effect. The 40-year-old Spanish coach is expected to take charge of ATK Mohun Bagan, replacing Antonio Habas who parted ways with the Kolkata giants yesterday.
FC Goa president, Akshay Tandon, confirmed the news on Twitter, noting that Ferrando's triggering of the clause allowed no room for negotiation, with the Spaniard taking the club's hierarchy by surprise, informing them of his decision this morning.
With disappointment I'd like to confirm that @JuanFerrandoF has triggered his release clause, obliging us to release him of his duties so that he can join @atkmohunbaganfc. As long the money gets deposited in our accounts, we do not have a choice in his decision.
- Akshay Tandon (@akshaytandon117) December 19, 2021
"It is unfortunate that people involved in the deal chose to leak the information to the press before even before the release clause was triggered. Members of our squad and staff had to find out about these developments through twitter and the media. Poaching our coaches, staff and players is fair game but I hope better sense and sportsmanship prevails in the future. We would have at least liked the opportunity to inform our squad ourselves," noted Tandon. He went on to say that the club will announce their plans for a new coach over the next couple of days.
Ferrando took charge of Goa ahead of the 2020-21 ISL season, taking the club to the semifinals of the playoffs, losing to eventual champions Mumbai City FC on penalties. With Goa also featuring in the AFC Champions League, Ferrando created history by overseeing the first point ever earned by an Indian team in the group stages in April earlier this year.
Under his guidance, Goa also managed to win silverware in the form of the Durand Cup ahead of the 2021-22 ISL season, with Ferrando defeating Bengaluru FC on penalties in the final.
Goa have had an indifferent start to this season, with the club sitting seventh in the table, having lost their opening three games, losing to Mumbai City, Jamshedpur FC and NorthEast United FC. However, Ferrando appeared to have reversed their fortunes with two consecutive wins against SC East Bengal and Bengaluru FC, before a thrilling draw against Hyderabad FC.