Bengaluru FC part ways with head coach Carles Cuadrat, name interim manager

Bengaluru FC and head coach Carles Cuadrat have mutually parted ways, the Indian Super League (ISL) club announced on Wednesday.

Cuadrat was associated with the club for five years, including two as an assistant coach to Albert Roca between 2016 and 2017 before he took charge in 2018.

According to the press release from Bengaluru FC, Naushad Moosa, who was the boss of Bengaluru FC's reserve team, has been appointed as the senior side's interim Head Coach with immediate effect.

"After deep deliberation with the management, we feel the club needs to head in a new direction – one where the ethos and philosophy of Bengaluru FC begins reflecting again. While we enjoyed success with Carles in the past, we felt there was a departure from the philosophy that we hold true this season, which prompted us to arrive at this decision," said Bengaluru FC's director Parth Jindal said in an official statement.

Jindal thanked the Spanish manager for everything he has done for the club in the five years he spent with them.

"I want to express gratitude for everything that Carles has done for this wonderful football club. In the five years, he has spent with us, he has been through all the ups and downs we've experienced at BFC. He was around when we lost the AFC Cup final and then the ISL final, before leading us to the ISL title on that night in Mumbai," Jindal added.

Moosa's first assignment will be the game against SC East Bengal on Saturday at the Fatorda Stadium.

Speaking about the former Indian footballer, Jindal said, "Naushad Moosa has been with the club for four seasons and we are confident he will get the team to play the kind of football that we have based our success on. Meanwhile, our search for a replacement has already begun and we will be bringing in someone who we believe can further the philosophy and style of this club. Our ambition of challenging for titles while developing young talent that goes on to represent the country remains unchanged. We are currently in a good position this season and we back the staff and players to build on it in the coming weeks."

Under the management of Cuadrat, the Bengaluru-based club became the first and only club in the history of the ISL to top the table and win the title in the same season. The 52-year-old Cuadrat also holds the league record of most consecutive wins (6), unbeaten streak (11 matches), and clean sheets (11).

Speaking on the decision, Cuadrat said, "I greatly appreciate the club for giving me the opportunity to be Head Coach. It has been a relationship where I have been treated really well and a club that I will always have fond memories of.

I would like to thank the owners and management whose vision has been excellent, players who have always been at my service, the staff that I have worked with and that have stood by my side across five seasons and the fans, who have been tremendous in their support, and without whom we could never have carved out so many beautiful nights at the Kanteerava and away. I wish the club all the luck through the season and beyond. This club and the people associated with it will forever be in my heart."