"They lied to me. New coach will now take all credit for work I have done. I don't deserve this": Fraile

OUSTED AIZAWL FC COACH Manuel Retamero Fraile said he was "surprised" at the club's decision to let him go, and said he always wanted the best thing for his players.

Speaking to TFG about the incident, Fraile said,

"It was a big surprise for me. I don't deserve this treatment."

Fraile took over at Aizawl FC in the summer and led them to an unbeaten victory in the Mizoram Premier League. But of the six I-League matches the club played under him in their maiden season at the top division, they lost four games, winning and drawing one each. The decision to part with the Spanish coach came after a 2-0 loss to East Bengal away from home.

Fraile said the sack did not do justice to the work he has done,

"I have worked hard with this team. We lost against big clubs but our stats show we played well. We were improving and I was confident of avoiding relegation. Now the new coach will come in and take all the credit for the groundwork I have laid."

The formed technical director of Bahrain Football Association rejected the rumours that the move came about due to his relation with the players not being good,

"I don't know what that is about. I have had a great relationship with my players both during the MPL and I-League.  I worked closely with each one of them and tried to instill a professional approach to the game in them. And I could see the improvements they were making. I enjoyed every moment with them. Even today I got lots of messages from my players saying they were shocked and saddened to see me go."

Although Fraile admitted there were some differences of opinion in the club, especially between himself and the management,

"For example, in addition to our young players, I wanted a couple of experienced Indian players in the squad as well. I-League is a very tough competition and the team's performance as well as other players would benefit from their experience. But the management did not agree with me at that time. I wish they had listened to me."

That lack of experience has come to the fore time and again in the way Aizawl FC have played; especially up front as they managed to convert few of the opportunities that they have created.

When asked what he will miss most about his time at Aizawl FC, Fraile said,

"The fans. I have only the best words for them. In my experience the people of Aizawl are some of the best supporters I have seen. It saddens me to have to say goodbye to these beautiful people. I will never ever forget them."

Earlier today, less than a day after Fraile was sacked, news emerged that Aizawl FC had signed Gouramangi Singh and Romeo Fernandes, two experienced Indian players who are expected to considerably sharpen their attack.

Hearing about it, a bemused Fraile said,

"They lied to me."