ATK Mohun Bagan set to buyout Juan Ferrando from FC Goa contract

The Mariners are keen to pay the release-clause of the Spaniard and appoint him as their next head coach.

Khel Now revealed yesterday that ATK Mohun Bagan were in touch with three coaches to take over as their next head coach, following Antonio Habas' release. Habas, 64, stepped down from his position as the head coach after a four-game winless run. The Mariners have now settled on Juan Ferrando as their first choice. The club are already in the last stage of negotiations with FC Goa to secure his release.

ATK Mohun Bagan are keen on appointing Ferrando as their head coach. The Mariners are ready to pay the buyout clause of the Spaniard. The 40-year-old, who signed a two-year contract with FC Goa, has a release clause and is in the final year of his contract. Ferrando, Khel Now understands, has already agreed terms with the Kolkata-based club to take over the side in the ongoing ISL 2021-22 campaign. Both clubs are currently in the last stage of negotiations to decide the final amount ATKMB will pay to prize away the Spaniard from Goa.

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Final amount to secure release

"ATK Mohun Bagan are set to pay the buyout clause of FC Goa boss Juan Ferrando and appoint him as their next head coach," a source close to the developments informed Khel Now. Both clubs are already currently discussing the release clause ATK Mohun Bagan would be required to pay to secure Ferrando's release from his current contract at FC Goa. Khel Now understands the buy-out clause will set a new record in the Indian transfer market and will be the highest paid for a coach in the Indian Super League.

FC Goa have, however, denied any such approach from ATK Mohun Bagan.

When contacted for comment, FC Goa said, "Juan Ferrando remains the head coach of FC Goa at this moment and is focused on his duties with the first-team."

Update: Below tweet added at 5 PM IST.

Antonio Habas resigns

The Mariners are on the lookout for a new head coach after former boss Antonio Habas left his position on December 18 (Saturday). Following a four-game winless run, Habas put in his papers and has left the club. The 64-year-old coached ATK Mohun Bagan to the ISL playoffs final last season. He also guided the club to the AFC Cup knockouts stags, where they lost 6-0 FC Nasaf in the inter-zonal semi-finals. Habas's ATKMB started the season on a high with consecutive wins, including a 3-0 victory in the Kolkata derby.

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But, their season have gone south since, with consecutive defeats against Mumbai City and Jamshedpur FC. They have also played out draws against Chenaniyin FC and Bengaluru FC, leaving the side winless in their last four. They also find themselves outside the top four, in sixth place with eight points.

Juan Ferrando at FC Goa

Juan Ferrando took FC Goa to the playoffs in his debut season in India. His side also put up a decent show in the AFC Champions League. This season he has already guided the club to the Durand Cup, his first title with them. Ferrando has produced a remarkable turnaround after a poor start in ISL 2021-22. FC Goa lost each of their first three games to start the season. However, they have have recovered to win their next two and drew against Hyderabad FC to jump to seventh.

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