After all, they prefix Sir in England to names of people who are knighted. They suffix Sir in India to names of all elders out of sheer respect.
So if it is Sir Alex Ferguson, it indeed is Armando Colaco Sir.
Armando, who resigned as Dempo’s coach surely fits the bill to be regarded as the Ferguson of Indian football.
Firing coaches and managers is more of a rule than an exception. Only two instances of long term faith in a coach comes to mind - Armando Colaco, who resigned as Dempo’s coach and Sukhvinder Singh of the now-disbanded JCT Mills to be compared with Ferguson’s 27-year stint with Manchester United.
Armando Colaco began his coaching career with Churchill Brothers in 1994 and stayed there till 1996-1997 when Scotland’s Danny MacLennan took charge, But Armando was around till 2000. He later assumed charge of his former club Dempo in 2000–01. Dempo won five I-league titles, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012, the Durand Cup in 2006 and the Federation Cup in 2004. In 2008, under him, Dempo became the first club from India to enter the semi-finals of the AFC Cup.
Combining longevity and the success ratio, Armando can be called as the Alex Ferguson of India. Of course playing levels should not beconsidered.
Sukhvinder Singh, the man who manned JCT Mills was with them from 1995 to 2011 when it was disbanded. He won the first-ever I-League in 1996-97, the Federation Cup in 1995 and 1996, Durand Cup and IFA Shield, Scissors Cup in 1996 and the Rovers Cup in 1997. Calcutta clubs do not subscribe to the concept of long serving coaches and managers. India’s Dronacharya Award winner Syed Nayeemuddin has 35 trophies in his cabinet coaching various clubs but never for long spells.
Subhas Bhowmick coached East Bengal in 1999-2000, again from 2002 to 2005 and returned in 2008-09. He has also coached Mohammedan Sporting (2006), Salgaocar (2007-2008), Mohun Bagan (2010-11) and is the Technical Director at Churchill Brothers this victorious season. East Bengal won to I-League titles in 2002 and 2003. He also won the Asean Cup for them in 2005-06.
Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting are notorious for sacking the man in charge. Ask Subrata Bhattacharya, Englishman Steve Darby, Stanly Rozario, Satyajit Chatterjee Bob Bootland or Karim Bencherifa. All have the same story to narrate.
Coaches may come and coaches may go, but the clubs must continue. Calcutta clubs must be complimented for this sole but entirely unique distinction. As for now, let’s accept Armando as India’s Ferguson.
