Exclusive: Clifford Miranda opens up on ISL delay, new signings, Chennaiyin FC’s ambitions and his footballing ideology

Clifford Miranda is all set to lead Chennaiyin FC in ISL 2025-26.

Every Chennaiyin FC supporter will undoubtedly recall the team’s 6-5 victory against FC Goa in the ISL 2019–20 semifinals. And they would not have forgotten how close Clifford Miranda’s FC Goa came to elimination after leading 4-1 at the end of the first leg. Six years later, Clifford Miranda has embarked on his first full-time role as a head coach with Chennaiyin FC.

Chennaiyin FC parted ways with Owen Coyle at the end of last season due to the lingering uncertainty in Indian football. They then turned to Clifford Miranda, an established assistant coach who is well-known for working with several well-known coaches.

Miranda’s tenure with Odisha FC, where he guided the team to the 2023 Super Cup victory, has earned him widespread recognition.

Despite taking over the club in the Super Cup, the 2025/26 ISL season will be Clifford Miranda’s first major test of his ability to establish himself as a successful head coach.

As preparations heat up on the field, Clifford sat down with Khel Now off the field for an exclusive interview to discuss the team, club’s ambitions, his ideologies and the Chennaiyin FC fans.

Clifford Miranda on Indian Football uncertainty

While everyone is happy to see their beloved teams back in play, let us not forget about the previous ten months, when we went through a difficult period waiting for great news. Similar to supporters and athletes, coaches would have had to deal with uncertain circumstances, and the head coach talked about the hard phase.

“Always difficult when you don’t know what’s going to happen next. And especially with football, something that has been a part of my life or I would say is my life for since I remember. I’ve been into football for more than close to 30 years now. I started as a kid in the academy and ever since I’ve never stopped playing.”

“It’s the first time where there was a break, where we didn’t know what’s going to happen next. So, it was challenging, it was difficult to understand the uncertainty and to make sense with it. But finally, I’m glad that football is back and it’s happening.”, added Clifford Miranda.

Clifford Miranda answers why Chennaiyin FC?

When coaches make the transition from assistant to head coach, it is critical that they select the best possible project. Clifford Miranda, who recently took on his first full-time position as head coach, addressed what inspired him to choose the Chennaiyin project.

“The club gave me this opportunity to be the head coach. Something that was the next step in my career and they helped me to get there. It’s more effective, it’s more prominent because they appointed me right from the beginning and not because of this uncertainty.”

“So that is something that I’m really grateful to the management and to Mrs. Dhani for trusting me and for giving me this opportunity to be the head coach of the club.”, stated Clifford Miranda.

Clifford Miranda on pressure on Indian coaches to succeed

Despite the fact that the forthcoming ISL season will have four Indian head coaches, teams seldom provide Indian coach chances unless they are facing dire financial conditions. Additionally, there is pressure on current Indian coaches to be successful and build chances and trust for those who follow them next. But the Chennaiyin head coach maintains there is no added strain, and insists it’s the same for all coaches, whether foreign or Indian.

“It’s true that there are not many Indian coaches in the ISL but just because someone has become a head coach, why should I feel under pressure? Pressure is for everyone. Just because an Indian has become a head coach, why do you want to put him under pressure? The pressure is for all the coaches who are coaching in the ISL and around the world.”

“For me the pressure is about being a professional. The pressure is to prepare the team in a professional way, to have the right planning, to have the right training session, to manage the group in a professional way where everyone is taken care of. This is pressure. And I believe it’s the same with every other coach around the world in the ISL or anywhere else. I know it’s a result-oriented profession where winning and losing is everything.”, insisted Clifford Miranda.

Clifford Miranda speaks on his ideology and playing style

Clifford has spent his whole career playing for Dempo SC and the majority of his coaching career working with Spanish coaches that value possession-based football. In contrast, Chennaiyin were somewhat pragmatic under Owen Coyle. The new head coach expressed his views on how he would set-up his squad.

“I would say 6 years working or 7 years working under Spanish coaches. But before working under Spanish coaches, I was playing for Dempo. Dempo is one team that has been playing possession-oriented football for a very, very long time. So, for me, my approach and my way of playing philosophy comes from how I played in my playing career. And I played there for 15 years. So, for me, the way how I want my team to play or the way how I see football comes from there.”

“I would say it helps that you work under a lot of coaches, especially Spanish as well, where you blend your way with their way and you can always derive something from them. So that was helpful. It’s not just one particular coach where I worked under, but it comes from history of where I really learnt to play football and where I grew up as a football player.”, added Miranda on his playing style.

We have seen coaches in recent times either sticking hard to their philosophy or adopting to the players at their disposal. Speaking on this topic, Clifford Miranda added, “Most important thing is to understand the quality and the ability of players that you have at your disposal. That’s the most important thing. And then to understand whether you can mold them in a way how you want them to play or you have to adapt in a way that they want to play. I think it should be a mixture of both.”

Clifford Miranda on advantage of having six foreigners:

While teams throughout the ISL have taken cost-cutting measures by releasing and lowering the number of foreigners, Chennaiyin FC has ensured that the new head coach has all six foreign players. Miranda expressed gratitude to the club for the six foreigners and expressed the hope that Chima would soon join.

“It’s understandable that there’s a lot of rationalizing going on. But I think the club has done a fantastic job to sign 4 foreigners, and the 2 foreigners that were already there on the club to get them back, which is really nice. I wouldn’t really know about the cost cutting because it is the club’s derivative.” 

“For me, I’m very glad that they are here. It’s one of the regulations, that you can have only 6 foreigners and I’m glad that all 6 are here. 5 are here at least, at the moment.”

Clifford Miranda on Ali Bemmamer and midfield headache

Chennaiyin FC surprised plenty with the signing of Mohammed Ali Bemammer, a former Northeast United FC midfielder. The 36-year-old Moroccan will provide Chennaiyin FC solidity and expertise during the brief 13-game season.

Speaking on his signing, Miranda added, “Ali brings a lot of experience. He’s been an international himself. He played in Northeast last year. He understands the Indian circumstances, knows the Indian players, knows the region here. So, with that kind of experience and his relationship qualities, especially in central midfield, it will help us a lot.”

They have added Alberto Noguera in the midfield, in addition to Bemammer. Because of this, they could only be able to field one of the three best Indian midfielders, Jiteshwor, Jitendra, or Hnamte, which appears to be a pleasant headache. When questioned on who would be given the nod,

Clifford Miranda simply insisted, “For me, it is very easy. The one who plays well and shows the right attitude, wins (starts).” 

Clifford Miranda on preparations for the 2025/26 ISL season

Chennaiyin FC has played little to no football in the past 10 months, playing only three games in the 2025/26 AIFF Super Cup. Having recently begun training, they will only have three weeks to prepare for the 2025/26 ISL season. Miranda gave his opinions on the Super Cup campaign and the preparations so far.

“I’m pleased because the way the players are working with the right attitude, without complaining. We have a lot of issues, a lot of difficulties, but so does every other club, which is the same I believe. The club, the management is doing everything to settle things for us, which is really nice. To bring in whatever we ask for, whatever is necessary, which is a very good thing.”

“The Super Cup gave me an opportunity to know the character and attitude of the players more than anything else. So, for me, that was very important. Three to four weeks of preparation is not enough, but it’s good enough. The most important thing is football has started. We are hopeful that by the time our first game comes, we are in good condition, injury-free as well.” added a hopeful Clifford Miranda.

Clifford Miranda on keeping the dressing room happy

Considering that Chennaiyin FC only plays 13 games, their roster is rather large. They have twenty-four first-team players, six of them are foreigners, and a few more reserve players not included in the 24. Giving opportunities to all players and keeping them pleased is the most crucial element for maintaining team spirit.

Speaking on the squad depth and keeping the dressing room happy, Miranda added, “It is difficult (to keep all players happy) because there are games coming in, but we will need all the players. It’s a short season. Hopefully, I will not want to, but it’s possible that we could have injuries. And for that, we require everyone to be ready.”

Clifford Miranda’s ambitions for the season and message to the fans

Chennaiyin FC won the ISL twice in the first four seasons. However, since then, they have struggled to establish themselves as a constant champion squad. Miranda responded that the aim is to construct a strong squad that wins regularly when asked what the team’s goals are for the upcoming season.

“For the club, the ambition should always be winning because that’s what every club wants. Winning is the most important thing. At the same time, to build a strong base is important as a club. For me, it’s important that they understand exactly what I want from them and from there on, we can set our targets.”

And that’s not it yet, Miranda had a small, cute message for the fans requesting them to come and support the club. Miranda added, “Come, support your team. This is your team. Coaches come; coaches go. Players come; players go. But it’s the team that’s always there. It’s your team, it’s your responsibility to come and support this team and enjoy the way we play.”

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