Mumbai: Ahead of the eighth edition of the Indian Super League, in an attempt to get their hands at the prestigious trophy, a number of clubs made huge changes in their squad bolstering their odd. Some of the clubs had even replaced their main men. Let’s take a look at the new coaches at some of the favourite clubs:
#Des Buckingham (Mumbai City FC)- Des Buckingham replaced Sergio Lobera at Mumbai City FC this season who left to work on other projects with the City Football Group itself after leading the Islanders to the title and Winner’s Shield last season. The Newzealand U-20 manager will have a tough job filling in for high achieving Lobera. Buckingham himself is also highly achieving winning A-league Double with Melbourne City. The Englishman had worked at Oxford United as well alongside Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder. However, he will have to get familiar with the players and the playing conditions is a tight time.
#Manuel ‘Manolo’ Diaz (SC East Bengal)- After an underwhelming ISL debut season, finishing ninth with only three wins, SC East Bengal were desperate for changes, and hence Robbie Fowler was replaced with Manuel Diaz. The former Real Madrid Castilla coach brings in a plethora of experience and will spearhead SC East Bengal’s approach and philosophy. Diaz is most likely to establish a possession-based playing style for the Red and Gold Brigade.
#Kiko Ramirez (Odisha FC)- Odisha FC appointed Kiko Ramirez ahead of the ISL season replacing Stuart Baxter who was hit with problems like poor defence, partiality and reliance on certain individuals, an underperforming midfield and poor tactics. The arrival of Ramirez is sure to solve all those problems. Although the former Castellon and Wisla Krakow manager has no previous experience of working in Asia, his tactical prowess can be highly trusted. The Spaniard is expected to bring the classic Spanish essence with the possession-based play which became an identity of the Juggernauts under the fan favourite Josep Gambau.
#Marco Pezzaiuoli (Bengaluru FC)- Marco Pezzaiuoli took over Bengaluru FC from interim coach Naushad Moosa in February ahead of the AFC Campaign. The German has vast experience working with German U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-18 developments. He had also been the technical director at Eintracht Frankfurt in Bundesliga while heading their U-19 side. The coach who can be credited with the development of players like Toni Kroos and Lars Bender believes in the attacking style of play and would suit the players at Bengaluru FC.
#Bozidar Bandovic (Chennaiyin FC)- The two time ISL Champions had a below the par campaign the previous season finishing eighth in the leader board. Bozidar Bandovic will be living on high expectations from the fans given his stint with Thailand bases Buriram United where the 52-year-old won two league titles setting a record-breaking points total. Bandovic mostly likes playing three centre-backs and focuses on build-up play using long balls.
#Ivan Vukomanovic (Kerala Blasters)- With the fans demanding a huge change after finishing 10th last season Ivan Vukomanovic replaced coach Kibu Vicuna. Although there are a lot of problems for the coach to solve in a little time, the experienced coach who has had stints across countries like Belgium, Slovakia and Cyprus have mustered enough experience to counter them. The recruitment of the players have been great and it is being hoped for a positive start.
The eighth edition of ISL is set to begin from November 19, and the coaches will be using all their tactics and it can be hoped that bosses might have some aces under their sleeves.
