ISL: Coach Marco Balbul and NorthEast United part ways

The Israeli manager left the job after four months of being in charge.

NorthEast United FC has parted ways with head coach Marco Balbul. The 55-year-old was appointed the head coach on 11th August 2022 for season 9 and has left the job after leading the team in eight ISL matches.

NorthEast United are going through a poor run losing all eight matches they have played so far. Apart from poor results, the club had gone through a few tough times as well with Nigerian forward Sylvester Igboun leaving the club after playing just one game. Also, NorthEast United has scored the least number of number goals(4) and has conceded the most(18) only behind Chenniyin FC with 17 goals.

Floyd Pinto to overtake duties

Marco Balbul was a defender who represented Israel on nine occasions during his playing days and has played for two clubs all from Israel (Macabbi Haifa and Macabbi Tel Aviv). After his professional career, he has coached several teams including the U21 Israel National team. NorthEast is set to take on Chennaiyin FC in Guwahati on 10th December and the Indian assistant coach Floyd Pinto shall take over the duties until the appointment of a new head coach.

Former Gokulam Kerala coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese is among the favourites to replace the Israelian and will be the third coach since 8 (Khalid Jamil and Marco Balbul). Annese has led Gokulam Kerala to two consecutive I League titles and also defeated ATK Mohun Bagan earlier this year (4-2) in the group stage of the AFC Cup. In the two seasons with Gokulam Kerala, Annese created an I League record with an unbeaten streak of 21 matches breaching the record held by Churchill Brothers (17).

Kibu Vicuna was the last foreign head coach from I League to lead an ISL side (Kerala Blasters) after winning the I League with Mohun Bagan.