Exclusive: Sergio Lobera in advanced talks with Mumbai City FC

Jamshedpur FC are also in the race for the signature of the Spaniard.

Sergio Lobera is in advanced talks with Mumbai City FC to take over as the head coach of the metropolis club, Khel Now can confirm. As revealed by us earlier, the Spaniard was sought after by Kerala Blasters and Jamshedpur FC too. In case of the Blasters, the two parties couldn't come to an agreement and thus decided to move away from negotiations. On the other hand, Jamshedpur FC have already submitted their offer and are awaiting a response from Lobera’s camp.

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“The new management of Mumbai City FC, including the people from the City Football Group, has been impressed by the work that Sergio Lobera did at FC Goa. After failing to qualify for the playoffs in the previous season, they are looking to reboot and believe that the 43-year-old would be the perfect candidate for the job," a source close to the development has exclusively stated to Khel Now.

"Despite having attracted interest from Jamshedpur, Lobera is inclined towards Mumbai City FC. The involvement of CFG has a vital role to play in that,” the source further added.

Portuguese tactician Jorge Costa was at the helm of affairs for the Islanders in the preceding two campaigns. Whilst Mumbai finished third in the 2018-19 season, they were unable to make it into the top four this time around. Mumbai City FC accordingly decided against renewing Costa’s contract and parted ways with the tactician earlier this month.

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Lobera was the head coach of Goa for more than two and a half seasons and the brand of football and philosophy that he implemented there is arguably incomparable in the Indian football circuit. The Gaurs finished the campaign as league leaders and even secured a spot in the AFC Champions League. The Spaniard had an integral part to play in this run. However, after a series of events that included disagreements with the club’s hierarchy, he was relieved of his duties earlier this year.

It is now understood he is leading the race to succeed Costa at Mumbai. Talks are said to have progressed well, but a potential stumbling block remains in an ongoing disagreement over Lobera's prospective backroom staff at the club. It is believed that both the club and the tactician are adamant on installing their own people in the coaching setup.

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