Clifford Miranda named Odisha FC head coach until end of season

Odisha FC has named Clifford Miranda as the head coach until the end of the season, the club announced on Thursday. Miranda had taken over as the assistant coach before the start of the Hero ISL season 2022-23. Miranda played for the Indian national football team from 2005 to 2014 and earned 45 caps.

The Juggernauts decided to part ways with Josep Gombau earlier on Saturday. Thus, Miranda will take over the coaching reins and help the club prepare for the upcoming Hero Super Cup.

Meanwhile, Gombau guided Odisha FC to the playoff stages for the first time in the history of the tournament. The Kalinga Warriors finished in sixth place in the standings with nine wins in 20 matches and a total of 30 points. However, Odisha FC was knocked out by ATK Mohun Bagan in the knockout match as they lost 2-0.

Before joining hands with Odisha FC, Miranda was earlier in charge of FC Goa’s development team and the reserve side, having joined the Gaurs in back 2018. Miranda had served as the assistant coach for FC Goa.

In fact, Miranda was appointed as FC Goa’s head coach in 2019 after Sergio Lobera’s departure and helped the Gaurs in clinching the League Winners Shield. Thus, that experience will come in handy for Miranda as he takes the main role at Odisha FC.

The 40-year-old from Margao will look to get the best out of his players in the upcoming Hero Super Cup.

On the other hand, ATK Mohun Bagan will take on Bengaluru FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on Saturday in the summit clash of Hero ISL 2022-23.