ISL 2018-19: FC Pune City yet to resolve Miguel Portugal's contract issue

The former Stallions coach is yet to leave Pune as the Arjun Kapoor co-owned outfit haven't yet agreed on a settlement fee...

parted ways with manager Miguel Angel only after three games into their 2018-19 (ISL) season.

A statement released by the club on October 26 read: 'The Rajesh Wadhawan Group and Arjun Kapoor co-owned FC Pune City have relieved Miguel Angel Portugal from his duties as the Head Coach of the club.'

Almost three weeks have passed but the coach is yet to leave the city of Pune. The ISL side is still working out the modalities of the contract termination, it has been learnt. The fact that he is still in the city shows that the club are yet to reach an agreement with the Spanish manager.

It seems to be a first in ISL history that a coach is yet to leave the city despite being sacked. When Goal tried to contact Portugal, the coach chose not to respond.

In what is the earliest sacking into an ISL season, Portugal's Pune City side managed only one point from their opening three games. After a 1-1 draw away to Portugal's former employers , they failed to win the bragging rights in the 'Maha Derby' against as they went down 2-0. This was followed by a 3-0 defeat, in their first game at home, to sealed Portugal's fate.

But the interim manager Pradhyum Reddy has found the going tough. In four subsequent matches, his team has earned only a single point and have conceded 10 goals. They now sit bottom of the table with just two points from seven fixtures.

A new coach is set to be appointed but nothing has been announced officially at the time of writing this copy.

Pune will get back to action on November 21 when they host at the Balewadi stadium.