Bhowmick admitted that he had erred in selecting overseas players, especially Czech defender Jan Berger.

'It is tough for Berger to fit into our system of football but I can't say the same thing about Sebastian (Omar Monesterolo). The Argentine player should be given enough time to settle down,' Bhowmick said.

On Thursday, the beleaguered coach decided to stay in his room and asked his assistant coach Tushar Rakshit to take the team for practice.

'During my 42-year career as a coach and a player I had never suffered such humiliation,' Bhowmick said. 'At the moment my main aim is to do well against Mahindra and recover some of my lost prestige,' said the former India striker.

Asked whether he would resign after the debacle, Bhowmick said it was up to the club management to decide his future.

'The club has every right to throw me out if they think so. I am in no position to call the shots. But I will not go jobless if the club management decide to sack me,' he said.

Bhowmick has also drawn flak for sacking three players like Sunil Chhetri, Surkumar Singh and Subrata Paul at the start of the season. All three are performing well for their clubs.