Derrick Pereira confident of Carlos Pena's ability as FC Goa head coach | OneFootball

FC Goa technical director Derrick Pereira has hailed Carlos Pena's ability after the former player was appointed as the head coach of the club.

Juan Ferrando announced his departure from the club mid-way through the 2021-22 Indian Super League season and Pereira managed the club for the rest of the campaign.

The Gaurs ended up ninth on the league table after a poor season and immediately after the season ended, the club decided to set everything in place so they remain ready with the 2022-23 season comes near.

Speaking up on Pena's appointment, Pereira said told The Print, "I really have no doubts that he’s ready for the job. He knows the Club, he knows the expectations that come with the job at Goa, he has felt the love of the fans, he knows the people and the environment within the club which is so important. He has everyone’s trust.

"He is a real student of the game and more importantly, he has passion. He has more experience now than I had when I took over. I wish him the best and hopefully step by step FC Goa will be back to where we aspire to be."

Pena was one of the players who played under Pereira's coaching in the 2019-20 ISL season and they both already know each other well

“The management has chosen Carlos because the positives of him taking over the reins far outweigh any negatives. As a player, he was always one who put the team first. He was a leader in the dressing room and his teammates looked upto him,” remarked Pereira of his former ward,” addressed the FC Goa technical director.

“It’s, of course, going to be a real challenge and a learning experience for him, but he has rich experience having played under at a very high level in Spain and learning from a number of well-renowned coaches.”, he concluded.