Armando Colaco in talks with East Bengal

 Armando Colaco could make a stunningreturn to Indian football by taking over East Bengal in less than a week.

The former India coach won five national titles with Dempo Sports Club until his less-than-favourable exit from the club at the end of last season. It has now emerged that Armando is close to a return after East Bengal came knocking at his doors.

As per the official version, East Bengal still have their trust on coach Marcos Falopa and he will continue as the coach for remainder of the season. However, the buzz is that a majority of the club officials are not pleased with the Brazilian and prefer a change right away.

Former Dempo coach Armando Colaco is tipped to replace Falopa. So much so that Colaco might be seen occupying the coach’s post when East Bengal resume their I-League campaign on November 24, against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan.

“You never know what might happen tomorrow. But one thing is for sure, the present coach is certainly under the scanner,” a source said.

Club officials, however, are tight-lipped about Colaco replacing Falopa. “All we can say is that as of now, we have our faith in Falopa,” East Bengal football secretary Santosh Bhattacharya said after a executive committee meeting of the club on Saturday.

"We have had detailed talks with Armando and he has agreed to take charge. It's only a question of tying the loose ends and procuring his signature on the contract," said a senior East Bengal official who is in the know of things.

East Bengal had shown interest in Armando at the start of the season until they decided that a foreign coach was the best option to replaceTrevor Morgan. Since taking over, Brazilian coach Marcos Falopa led East Bengal to the semifinals of the AFC Cup but is understood to have fallen out of favour with too many influential players.

"East Bengal officials have not as yet spoken with Falopa. They will do that only after getting Armando's signature on the contract papers," said another official.

According to those in the know, a final decision is expected on Saturday when the club goes into a huddle.

East Bengal, one of the strongest team in India at the moment, have struggled in the I-League, winning just two of their five matches. They almost lost the last I-League clash against Sporting Clube de Goa until Mehtab Hossain's last-minute freekick won them a point.

Falopa conducted East Bengal's training session on Friday.


(TOI)