Miranda leaves Odisha FC, Floyd Pinto appointed as new assistant coach

Odisha FC announced the departure of their Super Cup winning coach Clifford Miranda on Friday. The club also appointed Floyd Pinto as the club’s new assistant coach.

New Delhi: Odisha FC announced the departure of their Super Cup winning coach Clifford Miranda on Friday. The club also appointed Floyd Pinto as the club’s new assistant coach.

Miranda, who took over as interim head coach at the end of the season following the departure of Josep Gombau, led the Kalinga Warriors to Super Cup glory and also helped them qualify for the AFC Cup with a win over Gokulam Kerala in the Club Playoff. .

The 40-year-old has left the club to take up a new challenge, the club said in its statement.

“We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude and recognize Clifford for his tremendous contribution to the overall growth and success of the team during the 2022-2023 season. Under his leadership, the club won its first trophy in the form of the Hero Super Cup and secured a place in the group stage of the AFC Cup for the first time in its history,” the club said in an official statement.

“Despite being promoted to a higher position within the club, Clifford has chosen to take a different path and take on new challenges. We always wish him well!” read the statement.

Miranda had joined the club as an assistant coach from FC Goa ahead of the 2022–23 season, helping the club reach the knockout stages of the Indian Super League (ISL) for the first time. He then went on to boost the group after taking the reins after a rough end to the ISL season, leading the club to the Super Cup title in grand style while playing good football.

Miranda became the first Indian head coach to win the Super Cup and will be leaving Odisha FC after a fantastic year as a coach.

Meanwhile, at the end of the 2022-23 ISL season, Pinto took interim charge of the Highlanders and lifted the team after a disappointing season and led them to the Super Cup semi-finals.

The 36-year-old has had successful spells with India’s U-17 and U-19 teams as well as the Indian Arrows side. He led the junior national team to victory in the SAFF U-19 Championships.

“As an assistant coach, Pinto’s expertise will undoubtedly play a vital role in shaping the team for the upcoming season with head coach Sergio Lobera, player development and overall success. The club is absolutely ecstatic to have Floyd Pinto on board for the upcoming season and wish him only the best,” the club said in a statement.