Top 5 managers with best clean-sheet record in ISL

These managers built a strong foundation at the backline of their respective ISL teams.

In their last four league fixtures, Odisha FC have been consistent in maintaining clean-sheets under their Spanish boss Sergio Lobera.

In the game of football, though it’s the goalie who is the Guardian on the field, maintaining a clean-sheet is something that a manager too, feels proud of succeeding at. Legendary manager Jose Mourinho holds the record for most clean-sheets in Premier League history. He has been on the sidelines during 189 Premier League games and has a clean-sheet percentage of 53.40%. After all, he surely did know how to ‘Park the Bus’ well.

In the history of India’s premier football tournament, the Indian Super League, going down the timeline we will see that some managers have got impressive stats when it comes to maintaining clean-sheets. Some of the credit also goes to the Guardians who were instrumental under the bars and played a pivotal role in setting up those records.

Let’s have a look at the top five managers in the Indian Super League who have the best clean-sheets record in the tournament.

5. Ivan Vukomanovic

At No. 5, we have Ivan Vukamanovic. The Serbian maestro of Kerala Blasters FC is currently having a great season as his team is in the race for the title. He was appointed as the manager of Kerala Blasters FC back in 2021 and during his first season, he set several milestones that went straight into the history books of the ISL outfit.

They went on a 10-game winning streak that propelled them to the top of the table for the first time. Along with the most goals scored, points earned, wins, and fewest losses, the Blasters also set records. Additionally, they recorded their first-ever positive goal difference in the history of the club.

In 50 games, Ivan Vukamanovic holds the record of having 16 clean-sheets in total with a clean-sheet percentage of 32%.

4. Antonio Lopez Habas

At No. 4, we have Antonio Lopez Habas. During his managerial career in the ISL, which lasted from 2014 until 2021, he had managed Atletico de Kolkata who were the maiden champions of this tournament, FC Pune City which was later replaced by the present-day Hyderabad FC, ATK FC and the erstwhile ATK Mohun Bagan. He won the title twice. The first was during the debut ISL season in 2014 and the second time was during the 2019-20 season.

During his 91 matches as a manager in the Indian top flight, his team achieved a clean-sheet on 31 occasions, having a clean-sheet percentage of 32.2%.

3. Sergio Lobera

At No. 3, we have Sergio Lobera. The Juggernauts’ Spanish boss needs no introduction at all. He stepped in to the ISL in 2017 when he signed a two-year contract with FC Goa.

He guided his team to the Super Cup victory in 2020. He was at the top of the table, but after multiple run-ins with the board of directors, he was fired.

In March 2020, Lobera signed a contract with Mumbai City FC to continue in the Indian Super League before taking a hiatus to China. In 2023, he made his way back to the Indian top flight and was hired as the head coach of Odisha FC on a two-year term.

During his 91 games to this date, he was able to achieve a clean-sheet on 30 occasions with a clean-sheet percentage of 32.9%.

2. Manolo Marquez

At second position, we have Manolo Marquez. ISL has always seen the domination of Spanish flare both on and off the field. FC Goa boss Manolo Marquez is no different to have this dominating impact on the game.  Currently, under his guidance, the Gaurs are having their best season to date with seven wins out of their nine ISL games. They are yet to lose a game!

In his 74 games as a manager in the Indian Super League, his team was able to achieve a clean-sheet on 30 occasions with a percentage of 40.5%.

1. Carles Cuadrat

At the first place, we have Carles Cuadrat. East Bengal‘s Spanish boss came to India in 2016 when he joined Bengaluru FC as the Blues’ then-head coach Albert Roca’s assistant. Later he was appointed as the team’s head coach in 2018 and won the Indian Super League with them.

After a successful tenure at Bengaluru FC, he went back to Europe in 2021. In 2023, he was appointed as East Bengal’s head coach which marked his return in the ISL. Currently, his team sits seventh in the ISL table.

In his 60 games as a manager in the Indian Super League, his team was able to maintain a clean-sheet on 25 occasions and thus, he tops this list with a clean-sheet percentage of 41.6%.

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