Mohun Bagan remove Subhas Bhowmick for failing to meet licensing criteria

Kolkata: Mohun Bagan on Thursday removed veteran Subhas Bhowmick with "immediate effect" as the veteran coach did not pursue his AFC 'A' licence coaching degree in all these years, a must to continue coaching in a professional set-up as per parent body's guidelines.

"The AIFF has made the rules clear so we are releasing Bhowmick. We have a couple of names in mind and will take a decision about the new coach in a few days," Mohun Bagan's general secretary Anjan Mitra said.

He further hinted that former United SC coach Eelco Schattorie and ex East Bengal coach Trevor James Morgan, who's currently with Kerala Blasters FC in ISL are in their radar.

Continuing their drought of titles, Mohun Bagan recently lost to Pune FC in the Gold Cup semis in Bhutan and would now kick off the calendar with the Federation Cup in Goa from December 28.

Earlier AIFF had made it clear that any coach/technical director without a valid AFC A-Licence degree, if appointed by any club, would not be allowed to sit on the reserve bench and coach the team both during the match and even in practice sessions.

"They won't be allowed to enter the dressing rooms," the AIFF had said.

Former India forward Bhowmick began his coaching career with Mohun Bagan in 1990-91, and has won three league national league titles including two erstwhile NFL titles with East Bengal and the rechristened I-League with Churchill Brothers.