Habas’ ban could add twist to retention tale
Atletico de Kolkata coach Antonio Lopez Habas has been banned for four matches and fined ` 5 lakh for aggressive behaviour that led to him being sent off in the second leg of the ISL2 semifinal in Kolkata on Wednesday. This means Habas will miss the first four games of ISL3 should he choose to be part of the competition.
Said to be worth annually around $350,000 (`2.32 crore) Habas’ two-year deal with Atletico de Kolkata ends on December 31 and the franchise is keen on an extension. Discussions started before the semifinals but Habas is reportedly being pursued by an ISL franchise from west India who are offering a significant raise.
News of his punishment could lead to a twist in the tale as Atletico de Kolkata would, possibly, only appeal if Habas assures them of staying. No official from the team wanted to confirm or deny this.
Sources in the franchise said Atletico Madrid, a 25% co-owner, have told Atletico de Kolkata they would find a replacement should Habas want the offer to be matched. “It goes against the ethos of Atletico Madrid to throw money like that. It is now for Habas to decide whether he wants to continue in a city that loves him and with a team he has worked with for two years or join elsewhere,” said a team official requesting anonymity given the sensitive nature of the issue.
FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC too are said to be keen on retaining their coaches who, like Habas, have been with the teams since the start of the ISL in 2014. Delhi Dynamos, which also made the playoffs, will have to look for a new coach again as Roberto Carlos has said he doesn’t want to return.
“If I am invited, I have no reason to say no,” Zico told HT. “I have had a very nice life here over the past two years.” Zico also clarified that even though he has complained about corruption at the CBF, the Brazilian federation, he has no intention of being an administrator now. ZICO TO STAY? Shrinivas Dempo, FC Goa coowner, said he hadn’t spoken to the other owners but felt that unless Zico wanted out, he should be retained beyond ISL3 and that the franchise should also look at using his experience in youth development. “He showed faith in Indian players and they, in turn, have done exceedingly well. Someone like (Laxmikant) Kattimani (the FC Goa goalie) was always the second choice at Dempo but look at how he has played this time.”
Materazzi reportedly told the franchise that talks about the future should be kept on hold till Chennaiyin FC are in the tournament but has always spoken of being happy with the management. The former Italy and Inter Milan central defender once even said that he wouldn’t mind staying here for 10 years. He repeated that after the final.