With just two days to go before the I-League kicks-off, Churchill Brothers officially sacked coach Emeka Ezugo, who has been at the centre of controversy ever since he openly criticised Churchill’s India defenders Gourmangi Singh and M Govin Singh after their loss to Mahindra United in the Durand Cup. His comments sparked a player revolt, and the squad refused to practice under Ezugo. The club issued two show-cause notices to the coach, who refused to respond to them.

“He didn’t even turn up for practice,” club president Joaquim Alameo told The Indian Express.

Club Patron Almaeo Churchill confirmed that they had signed Zoran Djordjevic from Yugoslavia to take charge of the team.

The 56-year-old Djordjevic has represented the Yugoslav national team and has coached Yemen’s national team. “It is a pleasure to be in India and be a part of the Churchill team,” he told The Indian Express from Goa.