Panaji: Manolo Marquez loved saying: “In three years, you need to change the coach or change the players.” FC Goa did both, though out of compulsion rather than choice.




After three seasons at Goa, Manolo is now coach at Mumbai City. He leaves his imprint behind. For three seasons, Gouramangi Singh was assistant to the experienced Spaniard, learning the finer points of coaching. Now, the former India defender is on his own, for the first time in his coaching career, with a revamped squad that only has captain Sandesh Jhingan among the regulars from previous seasons.




“With my position as head coach comes a bigger responsibility,” Gouramangi told TOI on Friday. “It’s a privilege, it’s an honour, and I take this job very seriously. I'm looking forward to the challenge. We all know, eventually, the game, the results, will have to speak for itself.”




For Gouramangi, it will be baptism by fire, as Goa open their Indian Super League (ISL) campaign against Chennaiyin FC at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday. It’s a game that invites some drama and plenty of scrutiny. There’s a past, there’s big rivalry. They’ve played each other 29 times; twice in semis and once in final, and it remains the highest scoring fixture in ISL history.




If it needs any reminding, Chennaiyin won their first ISL trophy defeating Goa at Fatorda.




This season’s clash carries extra spice. Two of Goa’s better performers from last season – Brison Fernandes and Ayush Chhetri – turned down extension offers from the club and moved south.




“We have to make a strong start and play with the right mentality. We need high concentration from the beginning because it’s not going to be easy. Chennaiyin are a good side, good opponent. We are all looking forward to this one,” said Gouramangi.




Goa have waited long for the ISL season to kick off. Their early AFC Champions League 2 playoff against FK Arkadag – which they lost away in Turkmenistan – meant the team started pre-season early and ended playing just one competitive game. The team has had 51 training sessions.




“It’s been long for us, and you could sense (during training) that it's not easy,” admitted the coach. “We have kept going for these weeks because of the group, it’s been fantastic. We are collectively working towards the goal that we set for the season.




“I think FC Goa has a clear identity; it’s a club that wants to remain competitive all through the season and nothing has changed. We will remain competitive and give our best and see how we finish at the end of the season.”




Goa played Chennaiyin in a pre-season friendly and won 1-0 away in Chennai. It helped the teams understand each other’s strength, and weakness, but both will start on equal footing on Saturday.




“In terms of the friendly, no matter who they have, what coach they have, Goa are always a good team, and they still carry traits from Manolo Marquez's time,” said coach Clifford Miranda. “We analysed them (in the friendly) and some of the games that they have played earlier. They play in a similar way.”




It’s a new beginning for the coaches, teammates at Dempo SC and the national team. Even though it’s early into the season, there’s still plenty riding on the opener.