ATK Mohun Bagan are believed to have paid Rs 1.2 crore in buyout clause to FC Goa to rope in the latter’s Spanish coach Juan Ferrando in the middle of ISL VIII. Ferrando is expected to earn around Rs 4.5 crore per year, three times more than what he was getting at FC Goa. ATK Mohun Bagan are also bringing in Spaniard Javier Gonzalez, who was working with Ferrando as strength and conditioning coach in Goa.

ATK Mohun Bagan, who parted ways with Ferrando’s compatriot Antonio Lopez Habas on Saturday after a series of poor results, moved swiftly and got their coach within a day. Ferrando’s name would be officially announced on Monday. ATK Mohun Bagan play NorthEast United FC on Tuesday and Ferrando is likely to be in the dug-out.

ATK Mohun Bagan had said on Saturday that Habas’s successor would be announced as quickly as possible. On Sunday morning, FC Goa woke up to the news that Ferrando has triggered his buyout clause.

In a series of tweets, Akshay Tandon, FC Goa president and co-owner, expressed his surprise at Ferrando’s decision and also accused ATK Mohun Bagan of poaching.

“With disappointment I’d like to confirm that @JuanFerrandoF has triggered his release clause, obliging us to release him of his duties so that he can join @atkmohunbaganfc. As long the money gets deposited in our accounts, we do not have a choice in his decision. This has come as a surprise to us, @JuanFerrandoF informed us of his decision this morning. He left no room for a discussion or a negotiation,” Tandon tweeted.

“Poaching our coaches, staff and players is fair game but I hope better sense and sportsmanship prevail in the future. We would have at least liked the opportunity to inform our squad ourselves. To our fans, I’d like say, ‘Do not worry’. This will in fact make us stronger.

“It may not seem like that now. I’d like to ask your love and belief in your club. We are @FCGoaOfficial. We have a championship squad and there is already a full strength of coaches and staff to fill in the gaps in the short term.”

Ferrando became FC Goa’s coach ahead of ISL VII, taking the club to the semi-finals, losing to eventual champions Mumbai City FC on penalties. With FC Goa also featuring in the AFC Champions League, Ferrando created history by overseeing the first point ever earned by an Indian team in the group stages earlier this year.

Under his guidance, FC Goa won the Durand Cup here in October, defeating Mohammedan Sporting 1-0.

However, FC Goa have had an indifferent start to this season. They are eighth in the table, having lost their opening three games. They were beaten by Mumbai City, Jamshedpur FC and NorthEast United FC.

However, Ferrando appeared to have reversed their fortunes with two consecutive wins, against SC East Bengal and Bengaluru FC, before a thrilling draw against Hyderabad FC.