After parting ways with Mohun Bagan, Karim Bencherifa talks about his new Goan assignment.

By Garima Verma

Football coaching can sometime be like playing Russian roulette. As top teams go for the jugular, coaches are left at the mercy of demanding club officials. It's a worldwide phenomenon and Karim Bencherifa has tasted this one too many times in Indian football.

The Moroccan coach had his first day at office with Salgaocar on Friday. With two seasons at Churchill Brothers and a full season at Mohun Bagan, Karim's stint with Salgaocar is anybody's guess. He was recently booted out by Bagan after the Federation Cup debacle and then the national league.

"Maybe I am just too good to last long at any place. I have often been told that I should stay at least three to four years at a place so that I can bear the fruit of what I build," says Karim, adding philosophically: "But to stay or leave is not always my choice alone."

In his entire career, Karim's association with a team or a club has never extended beyond two years or seasons. Churchill were a mid-table team till he turned it around for greater heights. As soon Karim quit, Churchill started conquering one peak after another.

"I still don't know why I haven't been able to stay at a place for more than two years. The first season has always been great, with the teams going from bottom to top and praises showering on me. But everything changes in the second season," says Karim, who hopes to be luckier at Salgaocar.

Kolkata did not turn out to be his City of Joy, in spite of Karim doing a pretty solid job at the maroon-and-green brigade. "From 2001 till I took over at Mohun Bagan in 2008, they weren't even close to finishing second or third in the I-League. But in the 18 months and seven tournaments I was around, we won three, finished runners-up in another three and won a seminal spot in one."

"I rarely had my first-choice XI during the whole season because players picked up injuries while on national duty. My main strikers, Barreto and Chidi (Edeh) played just one of the 13 I-League matches together, but still we had the best attacking record (29 goals).

"We won 75 per cent of our matches in the second half. It proves that with whatever players were available, the group was still fit enough to play a 90-minute game. As they say, the first half belongs to players and the second to the coach. Maybe, I was doing something right somewhere that helped us turn the tables on our rivals," explains Karim, highlighting his achievements at Mohun Bagan.

Several coaches have complained about the influence of the vernacular media on Kolkata football. Former national coach Stephen Constantine hated the Bengali press. Nayeemuddin often blamed the media for his downfall, saying the Bengali press made him a "killer" coach who treated players like labourers. Karim is critical too.

The 42-year-old Moroccan, who got a mixed media during his stints in South East Asia, says: "The local media indeed created a lot of pressure. Everything negative was being associated with me while I didn't get credit for the positive work or results."

Yet, Karim counts on his positives.

"I feel good that I could give the Bagan fans 18 months of joy. I think I still have 10 more years of coaching left in me. And, Kolkata was a great experience for that. I learned how to handle a big team, fanatic crowds and a tough media. I have a few bad memories as well but I don't want to think too much about them," he says.

Karim's new association with Salgaocar will surely be under the scanner. The Goan side has had quite a few Kolkata coaches in its ranks, including the controversial Subhas Bhowmick.

"I am very excited to be with Salgaocar. I could have gone to Singapore but I want to be with Salgaocar for at least 2-3 years," says Karim, adding: "I have a few things to prove."

Break the jinx, Karim.