Three East Bengal FC players who can benefit from Antonio Lopez Habas' arrival

Antonio Lopez Habas replaces Oscar Bruzon at East Bengal

East Bengal FC are poised for a new era under the guidance of experienced Spanish coach Antonio Lopez Habas, who has been given the head coach role for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

The defending Indian Super League (ISL) champions witnessed their previous coach, Oscar Bruzon, leave the club after winning them the title, and they’ve been forced to pivot and rope in another ISL-winning manager with many decades of experience.

Indeed, Habas has been almost synonymous with the ISL when it comes to foreign coaches. His most successful years saw him help ATK win multiple titles, before also sharing some successful years as the Mohun Bagan boss.

The Spanish coach has managed well over 100 ISL matches and has all the necessary knowledge needed to help East Bengal strongly compete for the title and also hold their own in AFC competitions next season.

Moreover, Habas’ arrival should also have a positive impact on many of East Bengal’s players. He might be more of a ‘system first’ kind of coach, but Habas’ tactics have helped get the best out of many notable players in Indian football over the last decade.

In this article, we look at the three East Bengal players who can benefit the most from Antonio Habas’ arrival.

3. Jerry Mawihmingthanga

Jerry Mawihmingthanga was not really able to feature all that much for East Bengal in the 2025-26 season, mostly because of his injury and fitness troubles. He only started one match for the Torchbearers, featuring in their final few matches of the campaign. That basically means that the speedy winger can act almost as a new signing for East Bengal in Antonio Habas’ first season.

Jerry has a lot of experience under his belt in the ISL, having made 117 appearances for Odisha FC and scoring 17 goals in that tenure. He scored five goals in the 2024-25 season and can be a vital new source of goals for the Torchbearers in Habas’ system.

The Spanish gaffer likes to play with width for his side, allowing his wingers to not just create chances but also drift inside the box to get to the end of more chances. That expansiveness and the kind of risks that Habas allows his attackers to take should have a positive effect on Jerry.

As long as he’s able to keep up fitness and play with 100% sharpness, Jerry can be a special weapon for Habas’ style – with his clever movement and ability to sniff out chances enabling East Bengal to search for more goal components.

2. Bipin Singh

Bipin Singh was one of the best players for East Bengal in the 2025-26 season, playing a pivotal role in helping them win the ISL title. He delivered five goal contributions (two goals, three assists) in the campaign and was also able to deliver a key assist in the final match of the campaign against Inter Kashi – Habas’ former side!

The Spanish gaffer must’ve been impressed with what he saw from Bipin – who famously scored against his Mohun Bagan side in the 2020-21 ISL final. He’ll now play under the Spanish gaffer, who will definitely appreciate the grit and hard-working nature of the 31-year-old winger.

Habas will probably be smart in how he utilizes Bipin, giving him rest every now and then to avoid any major injury scare. Knowing the versatile nature of the winger, who can play in either of the two wings, Habas will be able to use him in many different roles.

Bipin should also be given utmost freedom in the final third, being urged by the gaffer to drive past defenders and send in inviting crosses into the middle. Knowing how Habas loves efficient wingers, Singh should retain an important role in his system and help East Bengal win more matches going forward.

Also Read: How East Bengal FC should approach the summer transfer window

1. Anwar Ali

Anwar Ali, of course, has the experience of playing under Antonio Habas during his time at Mohun Bagan. The 25-year-old centre-back was in the Mariners’ squad that won the 2023-24 ISL Shield title, and he was frequently used by the Spanish gaffer because of his impressive defensive skills.

Coming off a brilliant 2025-26 season, Anwar will also be given a big role in the backline by the Spanish gaffer. Habas is known for liking his side to maintain a sturdy defensive shape to neutralize the opponents’ threat, and he will probably allow Ali to be the commander of his backline.

The 25-year-old defender can probably expect to play the role of a leader in the backline, with Habas giving him encouragement to take charge in making key tackles, being vocal with his teammates, and helping move the ball out from the back into the opposition area.

Anwar should benefit from Habas’ style because of his knowledge of it, and he’ll look to help East Bengal keep more clean sheets by maximising the strengths of the Spanish coach’s defensive style.

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