Kozhikode, July 18: Spanish coach Fernando Santiago Varela has returned back to Gokulam Kerala FC as the head coach of the team for the upcoming season. The Spaniard had a brief stint with the Malabarians a year ago but had to return back to his home country due to personal reasons before the I-League started.
“It is a great honour to be back home. I had some unavoidable circumstances in Spain and had to leave before the I-League started. Now I am back,” said Fernando Santiago Varela upon his arrival.
Settled in Barcelona, Fernando Varela has previously coached Catalalan club CF Gava before joining Gokulam Kerala FC last year. The gaffer has also written a book ‘Futbol Inteligente’ on football training.
“We will be vying for top honours this season. Already the players have started fitness sessions and now I will oversee the training sessions. We have to prepare well for the Durand Cup. It is great to be back here and now I have got a historic tournament as my first assignment,” said Fernando Varela.
“Gokulam will aim high this season with the foreign coach and his expertise in football will surely help us to aim for glory this year. The coach came late because there was some delay in getting the visa. He is now ready. It is great to see him back with Gokulam and we expect a good start this season,” said VC Praveen, Gokulam Kerala FC president.
