ISL: Albert Roca parts way with Bengaluru FC

Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Bengaluru FC have announced that head coach Albert Roca has decided to step down at the end of the 2017-18 season. 

The Spanish manager opted not to renew his two-year deal owing to personal reasons, according to the club. 

Roca took charge of the Blues in 2016 and guided them to the final of the AFC Cup in the same year, an unprecedented feat by an Indian club. 

Though Roca could only guide the team to a fourth-placed finish in the 2017 I-League season, he helped them win the now-defunct Federation Cup. Following the club's switch to ISL, Roca garnered a lot of praise for the style of play as Bengaluru finished top of the league and proceeded to the final of the competition. 

However, they suffered a defeat to Chennaiyin FC in the final but Roca went on to secure the inaugural Super Cup title later on. 

When Roca was asked about his future with the Blues after the Super Cup final, he had said, "I don’t want to talk about the future. I am going to talk about the present. In just five days we have a very important game in the AFC Cup. If we win that we will 90 percent into the quarterfinals. Just 2 years back we reached the finals of AFC Cup and we want to do it again."

The former Barcelona assistant coach went on to end his Bengaluru stint on a high as he guided the team to the AFC Cup Inter-Zonal semifinal which was Bengaluru's fourth consecutive appearance in the knockout stages of the continent's second-tier competition. 

“It was one of the toughest decisions I have had to make in my managerial career but it’s the right one. Bengaluru FC has been an experience I will always carry with me, no matter where I go. The owners, the management, my staff, players and most importantly, the fans walked with me every step of this journey and I can never forget the love and support I have received here. I will miss being on the touchline for this club, but will always follow its progress,” said the Spaniard.

“Bengaluru FC and more importantly Indian football will always be grateful for the path that Albert Roca has shown us. Even in difficult situations he stayed true to his philosophy and brand of football and that is a testament to the manager and person he is. His idea of how the game is to be played is what we need to be able to compete in Asia and on the world stage. He will always have a place at Bengaluru FC and we wish him the best for his future,” said club CEO, Parth Jindal.