Manik's removal comes halfway through the ongoing Premier Football League with the club languishing in fourth. However, in another twist to the matter, Muktijoddha officials sat in the evening to discuss the Manik issue and have convened a meeting for today apparently under pressure to review the sacking.

In an official statement Mukti-joddha Sangsad said that their long-serving and most successful coach was 'discharged from the coaching duties because of his indifference, negligence and disregard to official decisions and breach of club discipline.'

But it was learnt from sources close to the club that disagreement with the officials played little role behind the sacking. Rather, than players were reportedly frustrated and angry with Manik's strategy this season and put pressure on the club's high-ups to remove him.

When contacted Muktijoddha secretary Shah Alam Chowdhury also admitted that the players' disillusion with the coach's preferred tactics prompted the decision.

"All our members seriously felt that the players were not satisfied with his coaching style. There is no doubt that he is a very nice person but I must say he has failed to do justice to his reputation. I must say discipline was also a major factor behind our action," said Chowdhury.

Manik has been instrumental in turning the Reds into a top force in domestic football since taking over in 1997. He won the Premier League, National League and Federation Cup titles with the club.

"I don't want to underestimate his contribution but you must also respect the players' sentiments. We have roped in the best booters in the country but the quality of football the team had demonstrated under him has raised a lot of questions from every quarter and some have even alleged that he is destroying the careers of national players," explained Chowdhury.

Manik meanwhile was shell-shocked by the decision and blamed certain quarters for conspiring against him.

"I don't think any on-field matter prompted the decision. They did not even talk to me before taking the decision. I think my strong personality angered some officials," said Manik.

"Under me Muktijoddha have already won two titles this season and we are still not out of contention in the league. So there is no scope to point at the performance. They have raised questions about discipline but unfortunately discipline to them is always saying 'yes sir'."

Some senior players of Mukti-joddha on condition of anonymity meanwhile criticized the coaches ultra-defensive strategy. They pointed out to the treatment meted out to Bangladesh international striker Rokunuzzaman Kanchan who has played in almost every possible position this season including defence.

"We were leading 1-0 against Brothers and playing beautiful attacking football. Then he made us play defensively. We went on to lose 3-1. What kind of tactics was that?" questioned a senior player.

But Manik refused to accept that the players were not happy with his style.

"That is all rubbish. The official are trying to involve the players to save their faces," he claimed.

Meanwhile, Manik's deputy and former national goalkeeper Atiqur Rahman has been given interim charge of the Reds.