ISL: Three ideal replacements for Josep Gombau at Odisha FC

The tactician took the Kalinga Warriors to their first-ever playoff qualification.

Some Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have a knack for chopping and changing head coaches every season. Odisha FC takes its place in that category after parting ways with Josep Gombau post the conclusion of the club’s campaign in the league. The tactician leaves his post with immediate effect after guiding the team to their first-ever ISL playoff qualification.

Odisha FC finished sixth in the ISL league table for the 2022-23 season. A huge credit for this achievement goes to Josep Gombau who was in his second spell as head coach with the Bhubaneshwar-based club. A few sections of the fans are in disarray after his departure.

While his departure from the side makes little sense, the next course of step for Odisha FC is to find a replacement. There are many candidates who are suitable for the position and can succeed Josep Gombau as the head coach of the club. Here is a look at the three coaches who can replace him:

Carlos Vaz Pinto

Carlos Vaz Pinto could be an interesting choice for Odisha FC. The tactician took Sreenidi Deccan FC to a second-place finish in the 2022-23 I-League. Almost guiding the club to promotion to the Indian Super League was a good achievement nonetheless.

The Portuguese head coach plays an attractive brand of football. He can utilise the present squad at Odisha FC well. Taking charge of an ISL club will be a challenge but one that Pinto will accept with open arms.

Manolo Marquez

Manolo Marquez is on the radar of many clubs. According to reports, the Hyderabad FC head coach has offers from a total of five clubs from the ISL itself. He took the Nizams from bottom to top and helped the club win the 2021-22 ISL Trophy against all odds. Proving that the HFC project was not a flash in the pan, Manolo Marquez achieved a second-place finish in the 2022-23 ISL table, thereby securing a direct qualification into the semi-finals.

The Spaniard is focusing on helping HFC retain the 2021-22 crown but the clubs in ISL will tussle for his signature before the start of the next season. It will be interesting to see if the Nizams are able to resist the push from other clubs to sign Marquez who has changed the club’s fortunes single-handedly.

Khalid Jamil

Odisha FC should look at Khalid Jamil as a realistic option at Odisha FC. Despite his exit from NorthEast United FC, the tactician deserves plaudits for guiding the Highlanders to the playoffs during the 2020-21 season.

To this day, he remains the only Indian coach to qualify for the ISL playoffs and also the first-ever permanent Indian head coach of an ISL team. Khalid Jamil has a strong grasp of tactics and his teams are tough to beat. Odisha FC must look at alternatives that will bring out the best in the domestic players, rather than relying on a new batch of foreigners.