EXCLUSIVE: Gerard Zaragoza to depart Bengaluru FC as ISL future remains unclear

AIFF’s tender for ISL saw no takers despite the extended deadline.

Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza and his entire backroom staff are set to part ways with the club. The Spanish tactician, who guided the Blues to an ISL Cup final last season, will join a European side. His decision comes at a time when the Indian Super League faces growing uncertainty after its tender process ended without a single bid.

Zaragoza’s exit underlines the deepening instability within Indian football. Several clubs, including Kerala Blasters and Mohun Bagan, have suspended operations, leaving the domestic scene in turmoil. For many professionals like Zaragoza, the lack of clarity around the ISL’s future has made long-term planning impossible.

Growing uncertainty in Indian football

When the Indian Super League began in 2014, it promised to transform Indian football. Yet, over a decade later, the league finds itself struggling to attract investors. The recent tender failure, which saw four potential bidders back out before the deadline, has raised serious concerns about the league’s sustainability.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) had hoped to secure a new commercial partner to manage broadcasting, sponsorship, and marketing rights. However, the financial terms, demanding a minimum ₹37.5 crore annual guarantee, proved too steep for interested parties. This has left AIFF without a commercial lifeline at a time when both the I-League and Indian Women’s League are waiting for confirmed calendars and sponsors.

The collapse of the tender process reflects a deeper issue: the franchise model that prioritised spectacle over structure. Without stable financial backing and proper youth development, clubs have struggled to sustain themselves. As a result, even top-tier teams are finding it hard to stay afloat.

Also Read: No bidders for ISL tender as Indian Football faces major setback

Zaragoza’s performance with Bengaluru FC

Appointed as Bengaluru FC’s head coach in December 2023, Gerard Zaragoza brought tactical discipline and attacking fluidity to the side. Under his leadership, Bengaluru finished fourth in the ISL 2024–25 league table, earning 38 points from 24 matches. The Blues recorded 11 wins, 5 draws, and 8 losses, scoring 40 goals and conceding 31.

Zaragoza also led the team to the Indian Super League Cup final, narrowly missing out on the title. In his 46 matches in charge, he registered a win rate of 43.48%, with a total record of 20 wins, 8 draws, and 18 defeats.

As Bengaluru FC now prepare for another rebuilding phase, the uncertainty surrounding the ISL continues to cast a long shadow over Indian football’s future. Unless AIFF reforms its structure and restores investor confidence, more exits like Zaragoza’s could follow soon.

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