CFC extend coach’s contract
Indian Super League winners Chennaiyin FC have extended the contract of coach John Gregory by a year, team co- owner Vita Dani has said.
“John’s contract has been extended by a season. That’s how he prefers it. John has played a very important role, especially when we had to bounce back from last season. It is under his leadership that the team has performed so well,” she said on Sunday. Chennaiyin won their second ISL title, beating Bengaluru 3- 2 in the final in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Ms Dani brushed aside criticism of the format and talk about Bengaluru ending second best despite topping the league stage, saying it was important how CFC played the final, adding it was a deserved victory.
“I don’t think it ( playoff format) really matters. In season one, we topped the league and still lost the trophy. The format does not matter. But what is important is that how we played in the final. I think we’ve been one of the most consistent teams in the entire league and it is a deserved victory,” the CFC coowner said.
A happy Gregory described the journey as an incredible one, having taken over from former Italy international Marco Materazzi as head coach last year.
“All I can say is it has been an amazing experience, an incredible journey. A fantastic opportunity to coach and manage Chennaiyin. It culminated in an amazing victory,” he said.
He thanked the fans for sticking by the team through and thin.
“I don’t think it has sunk in yet. I think if I probably watch the recording, which I might do tomorrow. It will. When I got back to the airport today, it was incredible stuff, a lot of fans were there.
“The incredible happiness that football brings to people. Our fans have stuck with the team despite last year not being so good.
“That was the start of the realisation of what we have achieved this season,” he added. thick