ISL 2025-26: Jamshedpur FC season review

Red Miners were title contenders till final matchday

For a mid-table side like Jamshedpur FC, which made it to the ISL playoffs just twice in history, emerging as one of the favourites to win the ISL Shield this season was nothing less than a remarkable feat.

After Khalid Jamil parted ways with Jamshedpur FC for national team duties, the Red Miners sought the services of the same man who won them their first silverware in 2022. He was back at the very place, Furnace, where he began his coaching odyssey in India.

Jamshedpur FC saw the departure of key players like captain Javi Hernandez, foreign attacking duo of Jordan Murray and Javier Siverio. They roped in French talisman Madih Talal, Cameroonian striker Messi Bouli, and Nikola Stojanovic, while retaining the core of Lazar Cirkovic, Stephen Eze, and Rei Tachikawa to complete their foreign unit.

They were one of the very few teams to defeat ISL Champions East Bengal at home and were one of the favourites to win the ISL Shield after the first few matches.

However, a mid season lump and a series of inconsistent results saw Jamshedpur narrowly missing out by a few points on the final day.

Despite that, the Red Miners were one of the most entertaining teams this season, giving their home fans plenty to be proud of.

In this article, let us review Jamshedpur FC’s season and try to find out what made it a special one in Owen Coyle 2.0 at the Steel City.

Jamshedpur FC’s performance in ISL 2025-26

Top performers

Stephen Eze

No wonder Eze is one of the best Nigerian players to ever play in the ISL. After Javi’s departure, Eze was handed the captain’s armband by Coyle, who had previously worked with him in his first stint and even at Queen’s Park in the Scottish Championship.

Eze almost played every game of the season, except when he was suspended for two games, he was rock solid at the back. His towering presence was a terrifying sight for opposition strikers. What made him an asset for Coyle was the fact that apart from just defensive contributions, he stepped up during set pieces.

He even went on to score two goals against Inter Kashi and East Bengal and was one of the outstanding players this season for Jamshedpur FC.

Madih Talal

After Coyle took charge, Madih Talal, who had failed to break into the starting XI during the Super Cup, became a regular starter. He played a key role in Jamshedpur FC’s strong start to the season, helping them win their opening matches and briefly sit atop the table.

But Talal faced an injury concern and it badly affected the Red Miners, who failed to find that creative spark in the midfield and Jamshedpur went on to lose games against NorthEast, Kerala Blasters FC and even dropped points against Delhi SC.

Despite an injury-prone season, he was excellent, having 4 goal contributions in 9 games for Jamshedpur FC and was the heart of Jamshedpur’s midfield this season.

Underperformer of the season

Raphael Messi Bouli

Messi Bouli came back to India with too many hopes and expectations after his previous stints with Kerala Blasters FC and East Bengal FC. However, he had a below-par season with Coyle and the Red Miners might be reluctant to extend his contract.

He played every single game and barely managed to score an open goal. He just scored two goals in the entire season, of which one of them was a penalty against the Highlanders.

Through out the season, he failed to capitalise the chances created by Madih Talal and Nikola. Had Bouli converted those opportunities into goals, scored in those crucial games against Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters, Jamshedpur would have ended as the Champions.

Top performances

• East Bengal 1-2 Jamshedpur FC
• Jamshedpur FC 2-0 FC Goa
• Jamshedpur FC 4-1 Chennaiyin FC

Managerial report card

Former Burnley and Blackburn Rovers gaffer, who is regarded as one of the best coaches in ISL was back at the helm. Coyle, during his early coaching days in England, was known for upsets, after he defeated Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal and Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea.

This season, Owen Coyle was absolutely brilliant. It was never easy to inherit a team just few weeks ago before the commencement of the season and not choose your desired players, but Coyle did not complain and made the most from whatever he had.

He turned the Furnace into his winning turf, and that paid off for Jamshedpur as they just lost a single game at home against Bengaluru.

His masterclass saw Jamshedpur win games against big teams like East Bengal and FC Goa, and those late equalisers against Mumbai and Mohun Bagan was absolutely cinematic.

Lessons learned from the season

The Red Miners have finally started to retain their core group of players and that paid off well. Players like Eze, Rei stood tall and played a crucial role this season. Also, Owen Coyle’s trust in young players like Puia, Nikhil Barla and Sanan even saw two of the youngsters getting a national team callup.

However, the big lesson Jamshedpur learnt is that your attack is as important than your defence. The creative playmakers like Madih and Nikola created a lot of chances but a lack of a proper striker cost them badly and they need an elite striker who can literally convert them into goals.

Fan’s view

The Red Miners have one of the most loyal fan bases across the ISL. Despite the team hardly making it to the playoffs in the initial years, the fans filled the Furnace in large numbers. This season, JFC played nine home games and lost just a solitary game at home.

The fans would have demanded more goals, but they can be very proud of the way the team played and kept the title hopes alive until the final matchweek of ISL.

What’s next for Jamshedpur FC?

The Red Miners luckily do not have to fix a lot of this next season. They have got a brilliant coach in the form of Owen Coyle, who is likely to be at the helm next season. Just like Ange Postecoglou, Coyle also delivers trophies in his second season.

Firstly, they must rope in a quality foreign striker who can convert chances into goals. Talal and Stojanovic in the centre were brilliant and Eze at the back was also fantastic alongside Albino Gomes. Sanan and Vincy did not impress much but they have a lot of potential.

Their Indian core, however, looked a bit older and sluggish. Pronay played for a few games only; they need a good Indian midfielder who can provide defensive stability to the team.

Also, players like Puia and Rosenberg did well and must be given more chances. Overall, they need attacking reinforcements.

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