CALCUTTA (India): Mohun Bagan coach Kibu Vikuna’s stint at the club may well be over after technical committee members and former players blasted the Spaniard for the team’s struggling form in the ongoing I-League.
The 2015 champions lost to Churchill Brothers 4-2 on Sunday after their goalless draw against Aizawl FC in the tournament-opener on November 30.
Vicuna used five foreigners against Churchill in their first defeat in the competition at Kalyani Stadium.
Francisco Martinez (defender, Spain), Daneil Cyrus (defender, Trinidad & Tobago), Francisco Munoz (midfielder, Spain), Julen Colinas (midfielder, Spain) and Joseba Beitia (midfielder, Spain) were fielded.
Besides, questions are being raised on the quality of club’s Spanish signings this season.
Technical committee member and former captain Compton Dutta said that they weren’t even consulted by the Spanish coach before hiring overseas players.
“Kibu (Vikuna) got the team early in the season. Still he has failed to deliver. He brought the Spanish players from his country, but he didn’t consult the committee,” Dutta told Khelupdates.
Satyajit Chatterjee, Bidesh Bose and Sisir Ghosh are the other members on the committee.
The century-old club has remained success-starved in the season so far. Vicuna’s men has failed to win the Calcutta Football League, Durand Cup and a tournament in Bangladesh.
“The future of this team looks bleak. It’s not in the safe hands,” said former coach and captain Subrata Bhattacharya. “The team does not have a quality striker.”
Despite the Spaniards not doing well, it is likely that Vicuna will be in a spot of bother on his future.
“Vicuna has no results. I don’t think he’s a proven coach,” said former player Manas Bhattacharya. “There’s no depth in the team. The foreigners are not good, and even their understanding with others has not developed.”
Churchill Brothers ran roughshod over the Mariners, who made one with Ashutosh Mehta starting for the first time this season.
“I’m disappointed. The team lack combination and style. Vicuna has brought the Spanish players. He can’t blame us now,” said Sisir Ghosh.
Spanish duo Colinas and Beitia, with support from Naorem and Britto, created openings but failed to convert them.
“If the team has failed, the coach has to move,” added Dutta.
