In an apparent effort to reverse the club's sliding fortunes ahead of the second phase of the tenth National Football League, Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan displaced Jahar Das as coach and appointed Biswajit Bhattacharya in his place.

Das, who took over the reins of the club in December last year after Amal Dutta got the boot for Bagan's shoddy performance in various tournaments, will now coach of the Mohun Bagan-SAIL Football Academy.

Under Das, Bagan had put up an equally shoddy performance in the NFL, which is obvious by their ninth placing at the conclusion of the first phase of the tournament.

Announcing the decision to remove Das, Bagan general secretary Anjan Mitra said Das has to return to the Mohun Bagan-SAIL Football Academy, where he was previously coaching.

"Following persistent requests from the Academy, we have decided to reinstate him as its coach, as the under-15 National League is slated to begin soon," Mitra said.

Bhattacharya, a sharp striker the 1980s famed for his scoring prowess, had his football career cut short due to a motorbike accident. He coached Mohammedan Sporting earlier this season.

Bhattacharya will take charge on Tuesday and continue in office till the completion of the NFL.