Guwahati, May 13 (IANS) Indian Super League (ISL) side NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) have appointed Brazilian Sergio Farias as the new head coach for the third edition of the tournament.
The team is expected to benefit from the worldwide experience of Farias, a former AFC Champions League winner, especially his tenure in different countries of Asia.
Farias has managed Guangzhou R&F in the Chinese Super League and Al Wasl FC of the United Arab Emirates.
Some of Farias' finest achievements came with South Korean side Pohang Steelers with whom he won the AFC Champions League (2009), the K-League, the K-League Cup and finished third at the FIFA Club World Cup. He was chosen as the K-League manager of the year in 2007.
The Brazilian was at the helm of the the U-17 and U-20 national sides in his country, where he groomed superstars like Ronaldinho and Lucio.
He went on to win the South American Championship with the Brazil U-17 side in 2000. His experience in working with young talent also extended to the Santos U-17 team.
"We are delighted to bring onboard Sergio Farias as our head coach. We are affirmative that our team of young and passionate footballers would learn a lot from Sergio. We believe that in him, we have one of the best managers in the League. I am confident that we have the right man to lead the charge this season," said Ardeshir Jeejeebhoy, director of football for NEUFC.
"I am excited about having Sergio as the head coach. The most important thing about Sergio is that he is a winner; his attitude matches the ambitions we harbor for the club," John Abraham, co-owner of NorthEast United FC, said.
