ISL 2023-24: Mumbai City FC announce signing of new head coach Petr Kratky

Petr Kratky has worked as an Assistant Coach with Melbourne City FC.

Mumbai City is delighted to announce the arrival of Petr Kratky as the Club’s new Head Coach. Kratky continues his journey within the City Football Group as he arrives from sister club Melbourne City. The 42-year-old joins Mumbai City in his new role until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Born in the Czech Republic, Kratky enjoyed a 15-year playing career as a right back and represented some of the biggest Czech clubs including Mlada Boleslav and Slovan Liberec before finishing his career with Heidelberg United in Australia. Kratky then joined A-League side Melbourne City as an Academy Coach, taking charge of the Club’s Developmental Squad in the NPL2, before coaching them in the NPL Seniors.

Following Des Buckingham’s move from Melbourne to Mumbai in October 2021, Kratky was promoted to the role of Assistant Coach of Melbourne City’s First Team. As Assistant, the Czech-Australian coach served under Patrick Kisnorbo, Rado Vidosic and most recently, under Aurelio Vidmar.

During his seven-year stint at Melbourne City, Kratky coached and nurtured several young players from his Developmental Squad, creating a pathway for them into senior football. As Assistant Coach, Kratky was instrumental in guiding Melbourne City to consecutive A-League Men’s Premiers titles in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Kandarp Chandra, CEO of Mumbai City FC, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Petr to the Mumbai City family. In the last few years, we have played the ‘City Way’ and showcased some exciting football under two excellent coaches. However, the salience of the ‘City’ philosophy is that it stands strong on an ideology and does not rely on any one single individual.”

“We interviewed several candidates but we believe Petr is the right choice to not only ensure continuity in our footballing philosophy but also to help us build on it and grow as a football club. With his vast experience at Melbourne City, he has a deep understanding of the brand of attractive football that we want to play at Mumbai City, much like the other CFG clubs. All of us at Mumbai City are excited to have Petr with us and we look forward to working with him.”

New Mumbai City Head Coach, Petr Kratky said:

“I am excited to embark on this new opportunity at Mumbai City FC and to continue working as part of the City Football Group. One thing that I value most within CFG is that we are aligned by the same vision and philosophy which is centred around playing the City Way.”

“Our philosophy has the overarching goal to succeed, and I’m very excited to get started in Mumbai as I know the Club has set strong foundations for long term success. I hope to build on everything Mumbai City has achieved in recent years and to uphold our proud legacy of winning whilst playing attractive football.”

“I would like to thank everyone in the Melbourne City FC family – they will always have a special place in my heart.”

Petr will arrive in India and join the Islanders’ camp today and will take charge in his first game for the Islanders against FC Goa in the Indian Super League on December 12.

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