Former India international Gouramangi Singh has joined FC Goa as an assistant coach, the club confirmed on July 13.
The former defender who hails from Manipur said that he is delighted to join the Gaurs.
“I’m delighted to join FC Goa. Knowing the club and the quality of their game, it’s a big step in the right direction as far as my coaching career is concerned. Goa is like a second home to me, having played in the state for several years. It feels really good to be back,” Gouramangi said.
The 36-year-old former footballer turned to coaching full-time in 2018 after hanging up his boots. An AIFF A License holder since 2019, Gouramangi worked as the assistant coach of Bengaluru United in the past three seasons.
“I played my first-ever ISL match against the Gaurs, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. The stadium has a fantastic atmosphere and the fans love the club, and I’ve experienced that first-hand as an opponent. And now, I can’t wait to start working with FC Goa and hope to contribute positively to the club’s development,” Gouramangi, one of the highly decorated footballers of the country, added.
He has already spoken to the director of football, FC Goa, Ravi Puskur and head coach Carlos Pena. “They gave me a clear idea of the club’s project. I was able to connect well with them, and that made it quite easy for me to make up my mind about joining FC Goa,” Gouramangi added.
Meanwhile, Ravi Puskur also expressed his happiness in Gouramangi’s appointment.
“Gouramangi is a well-known name in Indian football who needs no introduction. In our club’s philosophy, we’ve always looked to promote up and coming coaching talent as part of the individual development we focus upon, and Mangi is no exception to that,” he said.
Gouramangi Singh is a Gaur 🧡
Join us in welcoming our First-team Assistant Coach, @gouramangi19 💪🏻#ForcaGoa #AmcheGaurs #WelcomeGouramangi
— FC Goa (@FCGoaOfficial) July 13, 2022
A product of the Tata Football Academy, Gouramangi Singh played for some of the biggest football clubs in the country during his 15-year-long career.
While at Dempo SC, Singh lifted the National Football League (NFL) and the Federation Cup in the 2004-05 season. The following year, he repeated the feat with Mahindra United. Between 2007 and 2012, the centre-back played for Churchill Brothers, with whom he won an I-League (2008-09), two IFA Shields (2009 and 2011) and two Durand Cups (2009 and 2011). He was also adjudged the Best Defender of the I-League in their title-winning season.
In 2010, Gouramangi was named AIFF’s Best Men’s Player of the Year. Four years later, he made his ISL debut with Chennaiyin FC.
He was also a part of one of the most successful Indian national squads in recent history, winning the Nehru Cup twice (2007 and 2009), and the AFC Challenge Cup and SAFF Cup in 2008. Overall, he has amassed over 71 appearances for the Blue Tigers.
