East Bengal replace head outgoing coach Morgan with Mridul Banerjee within 24 hours

WITHIN 24 HOURS of East Bengal head coach Trevor James Morgan handing in his resignation, the Red and Golds have brought on his replacement in veteran coach Mridul Banerjee.

Ongoing disagreements between Morgan and club officials have come to the fore time and again throughout the season. But it took a toll on the team in the last few weeks as dissatisfaction over losing out on the I-League title race yet again came out in form of fan anger and open criticism of the coach and the team from multiple club officials.

Morgan had an inkling that this was going to happen. After East Bengal lost their Kolkata Derby clash to Mohun Bagan at Siliguri, he told reporters,

"I did not pick this squad, it was taken out of my hand... our preparation over the last week has been crap... you are asking me questions now, soon you may ask someone else."

After the team returned to Kolkata, a group of fans vandalised Morgan's car and verbally abused him.

Yesterday, he finally handed in his resignation following several rounds of talk with the club officials. The officials were ready to fill his seat; despite names like Ashley Westwood and Armando Colaco being linked to the club over the last few days it was Mridul Banerjee, the veteran coach who has worked with several major clubs in Kolkata and recently led Bengal to a Santosh Trophy triumph, who was picked.

Banerjee will be at the bench for the remaining two I-League matches and the upcoming Federation Cup campaign.

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