The club had dismissed coach Henry Stanly Rozario last month following a string of disappointing performances by the team this season, especially in the Federation Cup and Durand Cup.
“Rozario did a good job and had been with the team from Day One. Unfortunately, he could not produce results. Hence, the management felt that we needed a new coach with new ideas and we are happy to have De Ridder with us,” United Sikkim co-owner Bhaichung Bhutia told journalists here today.
De Ridder had coached East Bengal for two seasons and Bhaichung had played for the club under him.
“He is a very successful coach and has vast knowledge of football. He brings with him his rich experience in Indian football and our players will benefit from his training. De Ridder will be with us till the end of this season,” said Bhaichung.
The immediate challenge before the new helmsman of United Sikkim is the second division of I-League that is expected to start by the end of December or early January.
De Ridder said he wanted to produce results for United Sikkim in the second division.
“I came to join United Sikkim for two main reasons. I have a lot of respect for Bhaichung with whom I worked when I was the East Bengal coach. Second, I believe United Sikkim can make it to I-League and bring a change in Indian football given the professionalism Bhaichung has. The team is good but we need to raise its standards.”
Asked about the problems United Sikkim had in scoring goals, the Belgian said: “Every club has difficulties and they need to be solved. I will work hard and hope the players will co-operate with me.”
He had seen the team in action when the club lifted the ONGC Cup in Agartala on November 30.
De Ridder will start the training session for Bhaichung boys at Paljor Stadium tomorrow.
TT
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