Three Mohun Bagan SG players who can benefit from Panagiotis Dilmperis' arrival

Panagiotis Dilmperis replaces Sergio Lobera at Mohun Bagan SG

Mohun Bagan SG have confirmed the appointment of Panagiotis Dilmperis as their new head coach heading into the 2026-27 season. After failing to retain their Indian Super League (ISL) title last season, the Mariners had to let go off Sergio Lobera and have now decided to rope in the experience Greek coach to steady their ship and usher them to major success going forward.

In Panagiotis, Mohun Bagan SG have a coach with decent amount of experience in the ISL – as he worked as the Punjab FC head coach for two seasons. Under the Greece boss’ guidance, Punjab FC were able to hold their own against difficult challenges in the ISL and also produced some thrilling attacking football.

He enabled the Shers to punch above their weight and also mount a surprising title challenge in the 2025-26 ISL campaign as well.

The 51-year-old is a cool and composed coach who is known for being able to form solid relationships with his players in order to get the best out of them. He’ll inherit a pretty stacked squad full of talented players at Mohun Bagan SG and look to enable every player to play to their best.

However, there are a few particular players who can really benefit from his arrival as their new head coach because of his playing style and the kind of tactics that he promotes.

Here, we look at three Mohun Bagan SG players who can possibly benefit from Panagiotis Dilmperis’ arrival as the new head coach.

3. Liston Colaco

Liston Colaco had a pretty frustrating 2025-26 season for Mohun Bagan SG, failing to make a significant impact for them in the majority of their ISL campaign. The Indian winger scored a goal and bagged four assists in 13 ISL matches, but out of that, two assists came in the final game against SC Delhi.

He lacked consistency and was particularly poor with his finishing, only grabbing one goal all campaign long. However, Colaco’s form could be lifted by the arrival of an encouraging coach like Panagiotis, who likes to use tricky and fast-paced wingers to add more electricity to his side’s attack.

Liston could be afforded more freedom under the Greek coach’s system, being allowed to be braver in carrying the ball forward into the danger zones and trying to take a few more risks. The experienced winger can be a key threat for the counter-attack style that the new gaffer prefers, being able to carry the ball forward quickly to catch opposition players by surprise.

While Liston will be required to keep trying to create chances through that left wing, he can probably get more of a license to roam into more goal-scoring positions inside the area and finish off chances clinically to raise his side’s attacking prowess.

Also Read: How Mohun Bagan SG should approach the summer transfer window

2. Suhail Bhat

Suhail Bhat wasn’t used to his fullest potential at all by Sergio Lobera in the 2025-26 ISL campaign, with the young forward often being wasted on the bench by the Mariners. The 21-year-old striker didn’t make a single appearance in the ISL last season, being reduced to a bench-warmer as he witnessed other underperforming players keep getting chances above him.

Fortunately for Suhail, he’ll now get to play under a manager who has a reputation for promoting talented young talents.

Dilmperis gave chances to many notable youngsters at Punjab FC last season, including the likes of Pramveer, Manglenthang Kipgen as well as Ricky Shabong – allowing them to play to their best potential under his system.

Even though he faces stiff competition in the number 9 role for Mohun Bagan SG, Suhail can now at least expect to get some crucial playing time for the Mariners under the new coach.

Panagiotis will probably look to use him as an impact substitute against tired defenders, and Bhat needs to take his chances perfectly by being a thorn for opposition players, decisive in the final third and finish off chances clinically to raise his reputation at Mohun Bagan SG.

1. Lalengmawia Ralte

Lalengmawia Ralte didn’t really have the ideal campaign with Mohun Bagan SG in the 2025-26 ISL either, featuring in nine of their matches and missing quite a few games through injury. He was pretty impressive in helping the Mariners dominate possession, maintaining over 90% passing accuracy and also making 50 possession recoveries in his nine appearances in the ISL.

Apuia, however, has the possibility of performing even better in Panagiotis Dilmperis’ system. The India international was tasked to be way too focused on controlling possession and helping his side keep a hold of the ball in Sergio Lobera’s system.

But the Greek boss can potentially give him a bit more flexibility in terms of showing off other attributes in his game than just retaining possession and passing the ball sideways. Apuia can now focus on looking to create more chances, taking risks in moving further forward the pitch than he did last season.

He can also look to use his impressive high-pressing skills to be a strong figure for opponents, helping win the ball back in key areas for his side.

If Apuia can be a more proactive figure in the Mariners’ midfield, he can be more positive influence in helping them play more attractive, fast-paced football and take the battle to their opponents as well.

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