ISL 2021-22: Coach merry-go-round on, Indian coaches benefit

ISL 2021-22: Since the Indian Super League (ISL) came into existence back in 2014, multiple big-name foreign coaches have come to Indian shores. While some have seen success, others not so much. But one thing that has remained an ever-present part of the league is clubs sacking coaches mid-way through the season. Follow ISL live updates on InsideSport.IN

ISL 2021-22: Coaches merry-go-round continues as two coaches sacked this season, Indian coaches biggest beneficiaries, check details

So far in the 2021-22 season, two coaches have been shown the door, including the longest serving coach in the league Antonio Habas of ATK Mohun Bagan and Manolo Diaz of SC East Bengal. Both teams had played seven times before deciding a change in management was required. Juan Ferrando then went on to activate his release clause and made his way to ATKMB.

Also read: Manolo Diaz resigns: East Bengal part ways with coach Diaz, Renedy Singh named interim coach

Manolo Diaz’s departure did not come as a surprise considering the form SC East Bengal showed in their campaign so far. Not a single win under their belt, reports of players clashing with the coaching staff did not make for good reading. And it was inevitable that the Spaniard would be leaving.

𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

SC East Bengal confirms that Jose Manuel Diaz and his deputy Angel Puebla Garcia have mutually agreed to part ways due to personal reasons.

Former India captain and our assistant coach Renedy Singh has taken over charge as interim head coach. pic.twitter.com/umt5MrJSDt

— SC East Bengal (@sc_eastbengal) December 28, 2021

The case of Antonio Habas is a curious one. Habas, the most successful manager in the league, decided to leave ATK Mohun Bagan after a four-match winless run. He had led the club to two ISL titles and also to the inter-zonal semifinals of the AFC Cup.

There have been equally surprising dismissals in the past. Miguel Angel Portugal, former Real Madrid midfielder, was in charge of FC Pune City for only three matches before he was shown the door. His team had registered one draw and two losses in that period.

Sergio Lobera, considered by many to be one of the best coaches to have been part of the league, was sacked after run-ins with the owners. Despite his success with FC Goa, the club management ended Sergio Lobera’s stint with the Gaurs midway through the 2019-20 season. He was sacked in January despite FC Goa leading the points table with just a few games left in the league.

ISL 2021-22: Coaches merry-go-round continues as two coaches sacked this season, Indian coaches biggest beneficiaries, check details

One of the biggest beneficiaries of these dismissals have been Indian coaches. ISL clubs have not had a permanent Indian coach in the dugout till this season. Khalid Jamil was handed over the interim role one more time in the 2020–21 season after head coach Gerard Nus parted ways with club mid-season.

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗲 🙌🏽

Presenting the first Indian Head Coach in the history of the Hero ISL, Khalid Jamil! 💪🏼#StrongerAsOne pic.twitter.com/vkaYqIAClA

— NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) October 23, 2021

NorthEast United went on a ten-game unbeaten run under him and advanced to 2020–21 ISL playoffs, only for the second time in club’s history, and Jamil became the first Indian coach to reach the ISL playoffs, prompting the club to appoint him as the first Indian permanent coach in the league.

ISL 2021-22: Coaches merry-go-round continues as two coaches sacked this season, Indian coaches biggest beneficiaries, check details

Even in the case of FC Goa & SC East Bengal this season, two Indians have been handed interim roles. Derrick Perreira who has previous experience in mid-season revival jobs was handed the reins of FC Goa while Renedy Singh will lead SCEB till a permanent solution is found.

The trend is such that most of ISL’s sacking has happened during the holiday period of December-January, which is usually the time when the teams have played around 8-10 matches.

ISL 2021-22: Coaches merry-go-round continues as two coaches sacked this season, Indian coaches biggest beneficiaries, check details

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