Karim Bencharifa was a man on a mission when he took over the reins of Salgaocar SC midway through the I-League 2009-10 season.
The Goan club was reeling in the relegation zone at that point and coach Tim Hankinson was just sacked. Bencharifa's job was to ensure that it stayed afloat in the top tier.
The Moroccan also had a point to prove to his former employers Mohun Bagan. In the previous season, under his tutelage, the Mariners had trounced East Bengal 5-3 and had won three trophies, including the Calcutta Football League (CFL) and the Federation Cup.