Climax Lawrence’s football journey has come full circle as he assists his former mentor Armando Colaco in steering Sporting Clube de Goa to new heights.
Lawrence, a former India international and Dempo SC legend, is relishing his role as assistant coach at the Sporting Clube de Goa. “Working with Armando again is like coming home,” Lawrence said. “He shaped me as a player, and now I’m learning the ropes of coaching from him.”
The duo’s partnership, which began during Lawrence’s playing days at Dempo SC, was briefly rekindled at FC Bardez. Now at Sporting Clube, their synergy has propelled the team from I-League 3 to I-League 2 in just one season. They also won the Goa Professional League with the team.
“Armando’s tactical acumen is unparalleled,” Lawrence said. “At Sporting, we’re building something special. The way we’ve connected with these players, it’s more than just football.”
Lawrence’s transition from player to coach has been smooth, thanks in part to Colaco’s guidance. “As a player, I saw the game one way. Now, Armando’s teaching me to see it from a coach’s perspective. It’s a whole new ball game,” he chuckled.
The former midfielder is particularly excited about nurturing young talent at Sporting. “We’ve got some fantastic youngsters here. Guiding them, seeing them grow – it’s incredibly rewarding,” Lawrence beamed.
As Sporting Clube de Goa prepares for the challenges of I-League 2, Lawrence is confident in the team’s potential. “With Armando’s experience and our collective passion, we’re ready to take on anyone. Sporting isn’t just participating in I-League 2; we’re here to make our mark.”
For Lawrence, this new chapter at Sporting Clube de Goa is more than just a job. “It’s about legacy,” he concluded. “What we’re building here, it’s for the future of Goan and Indian football. And doing it alongside Armando? It doesn’t get better than this.”
