Sreenidi Deccan FC announce Antonio Rueda as head coach for 2026-27 season
The former Churchill Brothers and Gokulam Kerala manager takes charge of the club
Sreenidi Deccan FC have announced the appointment of Spanish tactician Antonio Rueda as their new head coach ahead of the 2026-27 Indian Football League season. Antonio Rueda will replace Carlos Vaz Pinto as they prepare for the upcoming season.
With the 2026-27 Indian Football League season set to kick off on October 16, IFL clubs have begun laying the foundations for the new campaign, both on and off the pitch.
For Sreenidi Deccan, the appointment of Antonio Rueda represents one of their biggest decisions of the summer as they look to build on the foundations laid over the past few years.
A new beginning for Antonio Rueda with Sreenidi Deccan
Antonio Rueda brings over a decade of coaching experience to Sreenidi Deccan FC. The Spaniard began his managerial career with AD Nervión in 2013, guiding the club to the 2014-15 Primera Andaluza title before managing UD Fuente de Cantos (2017), San Roque de Lepe (2017-18), Mora CF (2018) and Olivenza FC (2019-2021) in Spain.
Rueda made his first move to Indian football in 2022 when he took charge of Churchill Brothers, earning praise for his possession-based style of play.
He later returned to Europe for a stint with Andorran top-flight side FC Ordino during the 2023-24 season before making a comeback to India as Gokulam Kerala FC head coach in 2024.
Having gained valuable experience across Spain, Andorra and India, Rueda now begins a new chapter with Sreenidi Deccan FC as he looks to guide the club in the 2026-27 Indian Football League season.
Antonio Rueda’s Coaching style
Antonio Rueda’s coaching philosophy usually includes possession-based football, with the Spaniard most commonly favouring a 4-4-2 formation. The teams look to build patiently from the back, using short passing to retain possession and create triangles in the midfield to pass before progressing into the final third.
Rueda also places significant emphasis on full-backs providing width, allowing the midfield to operate in compact spaces while creating an overload in the wide areas.
His style also includes aggressive counter-pressing immediately after losing possession, encouraging the players to win the ball back high up the pitch rather than just dropping into a defensive block. Above all, the Spaniard prioritises collective play, with every player expected to contribute both in possession and during the transitions.
The challenge ahead for the Deccan Warriors
Antonio Rueda is now a part of one of the Indian Football League’s most ambitious projects. While Sreenidi Deccan have consistently finished among the league’s strongest teams, promotion to the Indian Super League has always remained elusive for them.
With Hyderabad currently without an ISL representative, the opportunity to restore top division of Indian football to the city adds further significance to the club’s ambitions. However, achieving that objective will require consistency, tactical discipline and the ability to perform under pressure throughout the campaign.
Antonio Rueda now faces the challenge of transforming a perennial contender into a promotion-winning side.
Who is the new head coach of Sreenidi Deccan FC?
Antonio Rueda has been appointed as the new head coach of Sreenidi Deccan FC ahead of the 2026-27 Indian Football League season.
Who has Antonio Rueda replaced at Sreenidi Deccan?
He replaces Carlos Vaz Pinto as the club’s head coach.
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Balancing her medical studies with a strong passion for Indian football, Preethi has been a dedicated follower of the sport. Her speciality is covering and discovering stories, talking to players, conducting their interviews, and drafting articles. She particularly covers Hyderabad FC and other stories from the ISL and I-League.