A day after Zoran Djordjevic created history by becoming the first foreign coach to lift the I-League title,he said he doesnt want to continue with Churchill Brothers,and said that Indian footballs condition was ill. Indian football is very ill and I cant work anymore under these dramatic conditions. I had come here to give something to the game but will return with a heavy heart, Zoran told The Indian Express. The Serbian didnt give any concrete reasons for his planned departure,saying the general working conditions were not good for a professional coach,and blamed the sports governing body for most of the problems. The leadership is a disaster. All the people there like the chairs they are sitting on. Instead of moving on,they stick to it. This is not helping Indian football in any way, he said. AIFF officials were not immediately available for comments. The coach stressed that Churchills last I-League match against Mohammedan Sporting was his last game in charge,but he didnt categorically rule out the possibility of his presence at the Super Cup match between Churchill and Mohun Bagan in Gurgaon on April 26. I dont know whether I will be in Gurgaon for the Super Cup match. When asked about Zorans decision,Churchill Brothers chairman and owner Churchill Alemao said he had not received any official word from the coach. He hasnt approached us till now,but it will be an individual decision, Alemao said. Though I dont know why he wants to quit,he is welcome to go when he pleases. Churchill Brothers had brought in Djorjdevic after the Durand Cup following then-coach Emeka Ezugos reported differences with star striker Okolie Odafe. Last year,Karim Bencherifa was asked to leave after reports of similar problems with the striker. Alemao said he always sides with his players rather than coaches. I have traded a lot of coaches over the last few years. Players are more important because they are the ones who finally win you matches. Karim and Ezugo had differences with Odafe and we had no problems in taking the players side. When contacted,Churchill defender and India player Gourmangi Singh said there werent any visible problems but he wasnt amused by the way the coach had criticised Indian football. His criticism is unacceptable. Everyone knows we are lagging behind,but our AFC cup and Asian Cup participations are signs of progress.
