Carlos Pena, a former FC Goa defender, is expected to return to the club as manager, according to IFTWC. Pena’s paperwork must still be completed before he can accept the charge for Goa for the upcoming season.
When ATK Mohun Bagan invoked his release clause and hired Juan Ferrando as their new manager, he had left FC Goa in the middle of the season. Since then, Derrick Pereira has acted as their temporary coach, and they have ended 9th in the league table.
Carlos Pena as Manager
Carlos Pena was one of the rare foreign players to win both the League Shield and the Super Cup in India. He was also the Gaur’s captain in 2019-20, and the team went on to win the League Shield. He retired just a few months after winning both major trophies in Indian football. He also finished second in the league as a Gaur in 2018-19.
Carlos Pena did not stay away from the game for long, and after retiring, he went on to coach other Spanish teams. He was the manager of Lorca’s young team before going on to UCAM Murcia’s development team. He was also a member of the Lleida Esportiu coaching staff.
A Chance to Rebuild
Pena is presently the head coach of the Albacete Balompie young club, which competes in the Juvenil League. The league is regarded as one of the top youth leagues in the world, with the majority of talented players progressing to La Liga clubs.
Before last season, FC Goa midfielder Muhammad Nemil was loaned to the Juvenil league. Albacete has won 13, drawn 9, and lost 9 games under Pena’s leadership.
After two difficult games of this season, FC Goa will now have the opportunity to rebuild under the direction of an ex-Gaur. While Pena has no experience managing a team, his appointment will undoubtedly please the fans, given his enormous success as a player. Pena worked closely with Sergio Lobera during his tenure at the club, and Goa will be hoping that Pena has the same impact on them as Lobera did.
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