Armando Colaco
Encyclopedia
Armando Colaço, born 22 June 1953 in Panjim, is a India
n football manager
of Goan descent, who has managed I-League
side Dempo SC since 2000. He is the most successful manager in the history of Dempo in terms of trophies in the last 20 years and is also the club's longest-serving manager. Colaco is the first I-League
manager to guild an Indian team into the semi-finals of the AFC Cup
, which he did in 2008. Colaco is widely regarded as one of India's best managers after the success he has enjoyed at Churchill Brothers SC and Dempo SC.
According to Armando, it was Sir Edwin, Domnic, Wilson Paes, along with Fr Simon, Fr Edward and Fr Benedict who played an important role in his life as far as his early upbringing was concerned. Later in his life, his wife Juliana and daughter Genevieve have been his motivation and support.
, which he accepted with delight and during the 1988-89 season, the team won the Vitthal Trophy under his guidance. That actually set the tone for his coaching stints elsewhere as Armando, who was fast gathering moss, rolled on like a stone, and successfully coached the state U-21 Santosh team partnering Peter Vales and also Goa U-23 team at the BC Roy Trophy
in the early 90s. That was after an year-long stint with Dempo S.C. (1989–90) where he won the Pomes Cup and Scissors Cup.
titles and an NFL
runner-up trophy with Churchill Brothers and also a foray into the AFC Cup
.
following a demotion. Having agreed to accept the challenge, Armando greeted the opportunity to redefine the destiny of a football club, which under his patronage has risen from the dust to virtually touch the skys.
Under Colaço Dempos have managed to inscribe their name on it. Four national league titles, Durand Cup
, Federation Cup
and he also managed Dempo to have been the first Indian club to reach the semi-finals of the AFC Cup
, in 2008. Also he won Dempo two I-League
titles in 2007-08 and 2009-10
.
. The All India Football Federation confirmed the appointment after an Executive Committee meeting on May 20. On July 10, 2011 Colaço managed his first India match against Maldives
, the match ended 1-1. On July 17, 2011 Colaco won his first game as manager of India against Qatar
2-1 in a friendly. On July 23, 2011 Colaço suffered his first defeat, 0-3, at the hands of the UAE during a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
match at Sheikh Khalifa International stadium
, Al Ain City. In the return leg on July 28, 2011 in Ambedkar Stadium
, Delhi
Colaço managed to get India a 2-2 draw but could not stop India from falling 5-2 on aggregate.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n football manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
of Goan descent, who has managed I-League
I-League
The I-League is an Indian football league for association football clubs. At the top of the Indian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 14 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation of two teams each year with the I-League 2nd Division...
side Dempo SC since 2000. He is the most successful manager in the history of Dempo in terms of trophies in the last 20 years and is also the club's longest-serving manager. Colaco is the first I-League
I-League
The I-League is an Indian football league for association football clubs. At the top of the Indian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 14 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation of two teams each year with the I-League 2nd Division...
manager to guild an Indian team into the semi-finals of the AFC Cup
AFC Cup
The AFC Cup is an annual international association football competition between domestic clubs sides run by the Asian Football Confederation . Qualification to the competition is to clubs from AFC-affiliated countries which fall into the AFC's 'developing nations' category as laid out in their...
, which he did in 2008. Colaco is widely regarded as one of India's best managers after the success he has enjoyed at Churchill Brothers SC and Dempo SC.
Early life
Born to parents – Vincent Salvador Colaço and Clarina Dias Colaço, who lived in Panjim on June 22, 1953. Having lost his father at a very young age, but never gave up on his ambitions of playing football, which he did right from a young age during his schooling at Don Boscos where Fr Joseph Casti and Fr Thomas, in particular, encouraged the footballer in the youthful Armando.According to Armando, it was Sir Edwin, Domnic, Wilson Paes, along with Fr Simon, Fr Edward and Fr Benedict who played an important role in his life as far as his early upbringing was concerned. Later in his life, his wife Juliana and daughter Genevieve have been his motivation and support.
First-Team Career
After gaining the necessary exposure with Don Bosco and Panjim Gymkhana, Armando, who was at the end of his teens, took a career-shaping step in the 1970-71 season when he was chosen to play for Dempo for the first time, under coach Joseph Ratnam, who taught his wards how to play football with discipline. “That was a very important phase of my career as far as shaping the destiny of my football talent was concerned as I got picked for a big club – Dempo,” Armando reminisced. Though he made Dempo his abode for the next 14 years to come, as a player, the hardworking Armando plied his trade with dedication and commitment before he hung his boots in 1985.Early Coaching
A recipient of the State Kerkar award, Armando, had to look beyond his retirement as a player and it were two men – Alberto Colaço, the present AIFF secretary, and Agnelo Mascarenhas, who encouraged the just-retired Dempo player to move into football coaching. And thus began a new journey for Armando the coach. From 1985-88, the Curtorim-based trainer, essayed himself into coaching Salcete Football Club and soon guided the club to a win in Stafford Cup. Soon, Armando had a one-year offer from Sesa GoaSESA Football Academy
SESA Football Academy is a football club based in Goa state of India. Currently they play in 2nd division i-league Club of the second division of India...
, which he accepted with delight and during the 1988-89 season, the team won the Vitthal Trophy under his guidance. That actually set the tone for his coaching stints elsewhere as Armando, who was fast gathering moss, rolled on like a stone, and successfully coached the state U-21 Santosh team partnering Peter Vales and also Goa U-23 team at the BC Roy Trophy
BC Roy Trophy
BC Roy Trophy of Dr. BC Roy Trophy is national championship for junior group of association football in India. This is played by players U-19 representing their states teams. This tournament was started by AIFF in 1962. It was called as junior nationals and was restricted to boys U-19. This trophy...
in the early 90s. That was after an year-long stint with Dempo S.C. (1989–90) where he won the Pomes Cup and Scissors Cup.
Churchill Brothers SC
His success was noted as Churchill Brothers S.C. offered him the role of a coach first and then the Technical Director when Danny Maclaren was roped in as a coach during the 1994-2000 period. Switching his base from Dempo to Churchill in the 90s, Armando had announced his arrival as a seasoned coach with three Goa Football LeagueGoa Professional League
The Goa Professional League is the premier state level football league in Goa. It is organised by the Goa Football Association.-History:The official league in Goa, called the First Division began in 1951 and it was organised by the Conselho de Desportos. There was no Super League...
titles and an NFL
National Football League (India)
The National Football League was an association football league competition in India between 1996 and 2007 which was organised into three divisions. The league is now transformed into the I-League and continues with that name...
runner-up trophy with Churchill Brothers and also a foray into the AFC Cup
AFC Cup
The AFC Cup is an annual international association football competition between domestic clubs sides run by the Asian Football Confederation . Qualification to the competition is to clubs from AFC-affiliated countries which fall into the AFC's 'developing nations' category as laid out in their...
.
Dempo SC
In 2000, came a Clarion call from Mr Shrinivas V Dempo, offering Armando to coach his team, which had hit a trough in the National Football LeagueNational Football League (India)
The National Football League was an association football league competition in India between 1996 and 2007 which was organised into three divisions. The league is now transformed into the I-League and continues with that name...
following a demotion. Having agreed to accept the challenge, Armando greeted the opportunity to redefine the destiny of a football club, which under his patronage has risen from the dust to virtually touch the skys.
Under Colaço Dempos have managed to inscribe their name on it. Four national league titles, Durand Cup
Durand Cup
The Durand Football Tournament was started by then, India's Foreign Secretary, Mortimer Durand at Simla, India, in 1888. The initial matches were played in Dagshai. It was basically initiated, as a recreation for British troops stationed in India. The Durand Cup was twice suspended, during the two...
, Federation Cup
Federation Cup (India)
The Federation Cup is an annual knockout style club football tournament in India. It has started in 1977. From its inception till I-League has been started in 1997 , it was the most prestigious national level club football tournament in India...
and he also managed Dempo to have been the first Indian club to reach the semi-finals of the AFC Cup
AFC Cup
The AFC Cup is an annual international association football competition between domestic clubs sides run by the Asian Football Confederation . Qualification to the competition is to clubs from AFC-affiliated countries which fall into the AFC's 'developing nations' category as laid out in their...
, in 2008. Also he won Dempo two I-League
I-League
The I-League is an Indian football league for association football clubs. At the top of the Indian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 14 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation of two teams each year with the I-League 2nd Division...
titles in 2007-08 and 2009-10
2009–10 I-League
-Managerial changes:-League table:-Fixtures and results:...
.
India
On May 17, 2011 Colaço in an interview said that he had accepted the job to coach the Indian football teamIndia national football team
The Indian national football team is the national football team of India and is governed by the All India Football Federation. It is a member of the Asian Football Confederation. Since 1948, the AIFF has been affiliated with FIFA, the international governing body for football. In 1954, AIFF became...
. The All India Football Federation confirmed the appointment after an Executive Committee meeting on May 20. On July 10, 2011 Colaço managed his first India match against Maldives
Maldives national football team
The Maldives national football team is the national team of the Maldives and is controlled by the Football Association of Maldives. A member of the AFC, it qualified for the second stage of Asian qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, where it drew with South Korea at home 0–0.Maldives most significant...
, the match ended 1-1. On July 17, 2011 Colaco won his first game as manager of India against Qatar
Qatar national football team
The Qatar national football team is the national team of Qatar and is controlled by the Qatar Football Association. They have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup but are hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The team has also appeared in seven AFC Asian Cup tournaments and hosted the 2011 AFC Asian...
2-1 in a friendly. On July 23, 2011 Colaço suffered his first defeat, 0-3, at the hands of the UAE during a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
The 2014 FIFA World Cup will feature 32 teams. One place was allocated to the hosts, , but no automatic place is given to the defending champions, . The remaining 31 places will be determined by a qualification process, in which entrants from among the other 207 teams from the six FIFA...
match at Sheikh Khalifa International stadium
Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium
Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.One of the most famous events to be staged on this stadium was the group E matches of the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship and the stadium also hosted some matches from the 1996 AFC Asian Cup.The...
, Al Ain City. In the return leg on July 28, 2011 in Ambedkar Stadium
Ambedkar Stadium
Ambedkar Stadium is a stadium in New Delhi, India. The stadium is named in honour of B. R. Ambedkar, the famous dalit leader and chairman of the Indian constituent assembly. It opened in 2007 and has a listed capacity of 20,000. It is currently used for football matches...
, Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
Colaço managed to get India a 2-2 draw but could not stop India from falling 5-2 on aggregate.
Statistics
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| India India national football team The Indian national football team is the national football team of India and is governed by the All India Football Federation. It is a member of the Asian Football Confederation. Since 1948, the AIFF has been affiliated with FIFA, the international governing body for football. In 1954, AIFF became... |
 |
2011 | present |
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| Total |
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