CALCUTTA (India): Peerless FC ended the East Bengal-Mohun Bagan duopoly in the Calcutta Football League (CFL) early this month, but with no forward planning and activity in place the club has decided to part ways with their core team and head coach Jahar Das.
“The club won’t play in the Second Division I-League and other tournaments. The team is disbanded and a lot of players will leave the club. We’re free agents now,” Das, who guided Peerless to their maiden CFL title early this month, told Khelupdates on Saturday.
Das joined Peerless on June 12, 2019, after Biswajit Bhattacharya left but in such a period, he produced one of the best-known achievements in Indian football.
“The club doesn’t have any activity. They’ll only play in the CFL next season. It’s the club management’s decision. I don’t have anything to say on this,” said the 72-year-old veteran coach.
First team to win CFL outside Big Three
His achievement with Peerless was an incredible one as they landed not only their historic maiden title but also became the first club outside the ‘Big Three’ – East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting – to win CFL in the last 61 years.
Eastern Railway FC was the last team to win the league in 1958 before Peerless.
“I think the club will retain Kromah. He’s a good striker and deserved it,” said the former India international.
Das, credited with laying the foundation of 2017 I-League champions Aizawl FC as Head of Youth Development and later as coach of the first team in 2015, said he now wants to coach a Second Division I-League side.
“I had already submitted my proposals to the club management for the Second Division I-League. But now that the team won’t take part, I’ll have to search for another club,” said Das, who also had stints at Mohun Bagan in 2005-06 season.
