The Olympian goalkeeper coached Vasco Sports Club from 1974 to 1976. Vasco with several youngsters in the side defeated Dempo 3-1 in the 1975 Bandodkar Gold Trophy final soon after the latter had achieved the distinction of becoming the first Goan team to win the Rovers cup.

Vasco also won the the Chakola Gold Trophy and the G. V. Raja Trophy when they had Thangaraj as their coach. Thangaraj also played for Vasco and they emerged as runner-up to Mohun Bagan in the Bordoloi Shield tournament at Guwahati in 1974.He coached the Goa team for the 1974 National at Jalandhar.Thangaraj was the recipient of the Arjuna Award in 1967.