Debate: Should Mohun Bagan Super Giant retain or replace Juan Ferrando?

The Mariners are unbeaten in ISL but have been knocked out of the AFC Cup group stage itself.

During the summer, Mohun Bagan underwent a significant rebranding, investing nearly 70 crore and strategically recruiting football stars such as Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, and Anwar Ali to strengthen their domestic contingent.

The Sanjiv Goenka-backed outfit also secured the talents of World Cupper Jason Cummings and Albanian International Armando Sadiku to fortify their attacking prowess. In the defensive lineup, the club made a notable acquisition in Hector Yuste, who previously played for Cypriot side Apoel and faced Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League last season. 

Why Juan Ferrando should be replaced? (By Rutvij Joshi)

With substantial investment and solid support, the club was determined to surpass the achievements of the previous season, setting ambitious goals such as winning the AFC Cup and clinching the ISL Shield.

However, despite the significant investment and high expectations, Mohun Bagan faced disappointment early in the season. The team suffered a defeat to Basundhara Kings in an away game and managed only a draw in a home fixture. Unfortunately, these results led to the club’s premature exit from the competition with one game remaining.

1. Poor Performance in AFC Cup

The primary benchmark for success in Mohun Bagan’s revamped campaign was undoubtedly the AFC Cup. Unfortunately, the team’s performances in the continental competition fell far short of expectations.

The pivotal away loss to Basundhara Kings and a lackluster home draw meant that Mohun Bagan had to bow out of the competition with a game to spare. The failure to progress in the tournament not only disappointed the passionate fanbase but also highlighted shortcomings in Juan Ferrando’s tactical approach and the team’s preparedness for challenging away fixtures.

A coach is often judged by the team’s performance in crucial competitions, and Ferrando’s inability to guide Mohun Bagan to a respectable position in the AFC Cup demands scrutiny. The investment made in assembling a formidable squad demands better results on the continental stage, and Ferrando’s role in the team’s underwhelming campaign cannot be ignored.

2. Lack of Consistency in Selection

One of the glaring issues plaguing Mohun Bagan Super Giant under Juan Ferrando has been the inconsistency in player selection. With a squad brimming with talent and star players, finding the right balance and chemistry is crucial for success. However, Ferrando’s rotations and constant changes in the starting lineup have hindered the team’s ability to establish a cohesive playing style.

The footballing philosophy of Ferrando seems to be lost in translation on the field, as players struggle to adapt to different systems and players. This lack of stability in the starting XI not only disrupts the rhythm of the team but also raises questions about Ferrando’s ability to identify the best combination of players for specific matchups. The absence of a settled lineup often results in miscommunication and disjointed performances, a concern that must be addressed for Mohun Bagan to fulfill its lofty aspirations.

3. Underutilization of Indian Bench Players

Despite the presence of promising Indian talents in the squad, Juan Ferrando has shown a reluctance to utilize the Indian bench players effectively. Players like Sumit Rathi, Deepak Tangri, Suhail Bhat, Kiyan Nassiri, and Ravi Rana, all of whom have demonstrated their potential in domestic competitions, have found limited opportunities under Ferrando’s tenure.

Injuries to key players present an ideal scenario for blooding young talent, but Ferrando has opted for more established names or shuffled his squad to fill the gaps. The failure to integrate young and hungry players into the first team not only stunts their growth but also hampers the team’s depth and flexibility.

A successful campaign requires a balance between experienced heads and emerging talents, and Ferrando’s oversight in this regard raises concerns about his ability to harness the full potential of the squad at his disposal.

Why Juan Ferrando should be retained? (By Waseem Zaidi)

However, sacking Juan Ferrando would be highly impulsive due to his track record with the Mariners. While the disappointment of crashing out of the AFC Cup is swinging the favour of the supporters away from Ferrando, there are plenty of reasons why he should be allowed to continue his project with the Indian Super League club. 

Here is a look at three reasons why he needs to continue as the head coach of Mohun Bagan:

1. Unlucky with injuries to key players

Several things are out of a head coach’s hands and injuries to players are one of them. Losing players like Manvir Singh, and Dimitri Petratos has weakened their attacking force considerably. Furthermore, Anwar Ali, one of the best Indian defenders, is also out for a long period with an injury, leaving Ferrando to look for alternatives in the backline.

In addition to the aforementioned injuries, players like Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Glan Martins, Ashique Kuruniyan and more are also nursing injuries. Juan Ferrando’s tactical game plan has been affected greatly due to so many injuries and resulted in bad outcomes in games. When the Spaniard gets his players back and plays according to his game plan, then the conversation around his job security will be more relevant if the results remain poor.

2. Fantastic start to the 2023-24 Indian Super League

Mohun Bagan SG is one of the three teams in the 2023-24 Indian Super League which is yet to lose a fixture. The Mariners started the campaign with flying colours, winning all of the first four matches. Their previous game against Odisha FC was a draw which saw Juan Ferrando’s men make a brilliant comeback after going down by two goals. 

If the current form continues, then Mohun Bagan SG is one of the favourites to challenge for the ISL League Winner’s Shield and make the playoffs at the end of the campaign. Sacking the head coach at this point may be unreasonable and cause disruptions to recent positive results. 

3. Winning the 2022-23 ISL Trophy and the 2023-24 Durand Cup

Expectations are always huge at a club like Mohun Bagan Super Giant. A head coach must deliver trophies to justify the kind of investment the club makes. Looking at Juan Ferrando’s track record with Mohun Bagan, one cannot deny that he has delivered silverware and deserves to keep his place for that reason.

Mohun Bagan is the reigning Indian Super League Trophy champion. They also won the Durand Cup at the start of the 2023-24 season, continuing their form from the previous campaign. It would be extremely harsh towards Ferrando to lose his position after delivering trophies.

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