Churchill Brothers sack Bernardo Tavares, Mateus Costa appointed new head coach

The move comes in the aftermath of the Red Machines' loss against Gokulam Kerala last week.

I-League outfit Churchill Brothers FC Goa have parted ways with head coach Bernardo Tavares. Moreover, former Sporting Clube de Goa coach Mateus Costa is all set to take charge of the first-team for the rest of the season.

"Just before the Gokulam match, Churchill (Alemao) contacted me and I said I will be available. So, after a defeat to them he told me to take over. That being my former club I accepted it," said Costa speaking exclusively to Khel Now.

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Mateus Costa is presently working with Goa Football Development Council as a head coach and it is understood that the tactician has given a notice of leave in order to join the I-League side.

Further, the decision comes days after the Red Machines' loss at home against Gokulam Kerala. The loss against Gokulam was their sixth in 10 games, proving to be a rough patch for the club.

The loss also means the team are currently languishing in the bottom half of the table in the eighth place. However, despite the negative results, Churchill Brothers are in touching distance of second-placed East Bengal.

The Red Machines have bagged 20 points from 15 games, just three below the Red and Gold who have played 16 games. Thus, the AFC Cup spot is not totally out of their grasp.

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"At present the team are struggling in the bottom half and the gap with the lower teams is very lean, so my target will be to win as many as matches from the remaining five and finish at a respectable position," said Costa.

Furthermore, in his very first game as head coach of Churchill Brothers, Mateus Costa faces a tough opposition in Real Kashmir. It will be interesting to see how this coalition turns out as the Red Machines head into the final and crucial stage of the season.

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