Five head coaches Mumbai City FC could appoint to replace Des Buckingham

Des Buckingham will join Oxford United

Defending Indian Super League (ISL) shield winners Mumbai City FC boss Des Buckingham is set to part ways with The Islanders and join his boyhood club Oxford United, who are currently competing in the EFL League One. 

With the sudden departure of champion coach Des Buckingham, that too in the middle of the season, the two time ISL champions will surely find it difficult to cope. Mumbai City FC will need to find a suitable successor who can continue their successful run in the domestic circuit.

While many managers who are fit for the role are currently in charge of other teams, some experienced stalwarts are still available to drive Mumbai City’s train to the correct destination. Read below to look at five such coaches who we feel are best suited to fit into the shoes of Des Buckingham: 

1. Albert Roca 

The current Bengaluru FC technical consultant Albert Roca is one of the best candidates to guide Mumbai City in case of Buckingham’s departure. Roca’s playing style is something that Indian Football followers admired for a long time. He resembles the Spanish way of playing or more specifically the FC Barcelona style. 

His heroics with Bengaluru FC are something every Indian club dreams of repeating. Albert Roca has also coached former ISL champions Hyderabad FC. A couple of years back, he also worked as a fitness coach under Ronald Koeman for the Spanish football giants FC Barcelona. 

The current team of Mumbai City boasts a squad that would very well adapt to the philosophy of Albert Roca, as they have been playing a similar brand of possession-based football.

2. Matt Pilkington 

Currently, the head coach of Mumbai City FC’s sister club New York City FC II, Matt Pilkington is surely a name the City Football Group officials will be thinking of. The English football manager very much relates to the philosophy The Islanders currently fit into. 

He also hails a bag of experience with the academy divisions in US football. He has coached the junior sides of D.C. United, Bethesda-Olney USDA, Downtown United SC & New York City FC. Pilkington has been associated with NYCFC since 2016.

3. Shaun Ontong 

The current assistant coach of Yokohama F. Marinos, Shaun Ontong is the young blood Mumbai City FC would be searching for. The 36-year-old’s fresh ideas can prove to be a lethal weapon for the Mumbai-based outfit. 

Ontong can also be the best man to sit in Mumbai City FC’s driver seat for his previous experience in India. The Australian former right-back gelled up well with veteran coach Eelco Schattorie and had memorable seasons with Dempo SC & NorthEast United FC. He has also worked as an assistant manager with Kerala Blasters FC. 

4. Salvatore Lanna 

With the huge profile of clubs it runs, City Football Group can also avail the option of former Italian defender Salvatore Lanna. He is currently working as an assistant coach for Serie B club, Palermo. 

Salvatore Lana carries with him a heavy profile of experience, having worked as an assistant manager for Reggiana, Chievo, Novara, Breescia & Lecce.

5. Hiroshi Miyazawa

With the sudden departure of Des Buckingham, it is expected that Mumbai City FC will immediately fill the position with an interim till the time they find a replacement. Japanese Hiroshi Miyazawa is whom we speculate to be their immediate interim manager. 

He has worked in Mumbai City with excellent stats since 2021. Having worked for some years now, Miyazawa is surely someone who understands Mumbai City FC both inside out. He can gel with all, the players, officials & fans. If he is given the opportunity as an interim & becomes successful, the Islanders will have to look for no other options & stick to him for maintaining the successful run.

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