List of Mumbai City FC coaches and their performance in ISL

Mumbai City FC have not performed well this ISL season.

Owned by City Football Group and co-founded by actor Ranbir Kapoor, Mumbai City FC stands as one of the most accomplished clubs in Indian Super League (ISL) history.

They etched their name in the record books by becoming the first team to clinch both the League Winners’ Shield and the ISL Cup in a single season, achieving this remarkable feat in the 2020–21 campaign. Notably, they are also the only club to win the League Winners’ Shield twice.

Under Sergio Lobera’s guidance in the 2020–21 season, Mumbai City secured their maiden Shield and Cup double. Later, with Des Buckingham at the helm, the club made history in the 2022 AFC Champions League as the first Indian side to secure a group-stage win, narrowly missing qualification for the next round.

Buckingham also steered the team to an 18-match unbeaten streak in the 2022–23 season, leading to their second Shield win. They are the defending ISL cup winners.

Here’s a list of the managers who have taken charge of the Islanders since their inception in 2014.

Peter Reid (September 2014- December 2014)

Total matches– 14

Won– 4

Draw– 4

Lost– 6

Average points per match– 1.4

Best finish- 7

Worst finish- 7

Average finish- 7

Best signing- Nicolas Anelka

Biggest signing– Nicolas Anelka

Worst signing– N/A

Best performing foreigner under him- Andre Moritz

Best performing Indian under him– Subrata Paul

Trophies– None

In September 2014, Mumbai City FC made headlines by signing former French international Nicolas Anelka and Swedish star Freddie Ljungberg as their marquee player. Despite these high-profile additions, Mumbai’s debut ISL season got off to a rough start.

They lost the league’s inaugural match 3–0 against Atletico de Kolkata on October 12, 2014, with both Anelka and Ljungberg absent. However, the team bounced back with a resounding 5–0 win over FC Pune City, where Andre Moritz scored ISL’s first-ever hat-trick. Despite this highlight, Mumbai finished seventh out of eight teams and missed the playoffs.

Nicolas Anelka (July 2015- December 2015)

Total Matches: 14

Won: 4

Draw: 4

Lost: 6

Average Points per Match: 1.14

Best Finish: 6th Place

Worst Finish: 6th Place

Average Finish: 6th Place

Best Signing: Sunil Chhetri

Biggest Signing: Sunil Chhetri

Worst Signing: Pratesh Shirodkar

Best Performing Foreigner:  Sony Norde

Best Performing Indian: Sunil Chhetri

Trophies: None

In July 2015, Nicolas Anelka took on the dual role of player-manager, succeeding Peter Reid. The club made headlines by signing Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri for a record ₹1.2 crore, along with Haiti’s Sony Norde, the 2015 I-League Player of the Year. Chhetri led the scoring charts for Mumbai with seven goals, including a hat-trick against NorthEast United FC.

Despite these efforts, the team managed only four wins and six losses, finishing sixth in the league. Following the underwhelming season, Anelka stepped down and parted ways with the club.

Alexandre Guimaraes (April 2016- August 2018)

Total Matches: 36

Won: 14

Draw: 8

Lost: 14

Average Points per Match: 1.39

Best Finish: 1st Place

Worst Finish: 7th Place

Average Finish: 4th Place

Best Signing: Diego Forlan

Biggest Signing: Diego Forlan

Worst Signing: Biswajit Saha

Best Performing Foreigner:  Diego Forlan

Best Performing Indian: Amrinder Singh

Trophies: None

Mumbai City FC revamped under coach Alexandre Guimarães in 2016, moving to the Mumbai Football Arena and signing marquee player Diego Forlan. Forlan’s hat trick and the league’s best defense propelled them to their first playoffs but fell short in the semis.

Retaining key players like Amrinder Singh in 2017, the team struggled, finishing seventh and exiting early in the Super Cup. Guimarães parted ways with the club in 2018 after two seasons.

Jorge Costa (August 2018 to March 2020)

Total Matches: 17

Won: 17

Draw: 8

Lost: 14

Average Points per Match: 1.51

Best Finish: 3rd Place

Worst Finish: 5th Place

Average Finish: 4th Place

Best Signing: Modou Sougou

Biggest Signing: Modou Sougou

Worst Signing: Serge Kevyn

Best Performing Foreigner:   Modou Sougou

Best Performing Indian: Amrinder Singh

Trophies: None

Mumbai City FC appointed Jorge Costa as head coach for the 2018–19 season, signing key players like Modou Sougou and Arnold Issoko. Costa’s tactical changes led to a record nine-game unbeaten run and a playoff spot, but Mumbai fell to FC Goa in the semis. Sougou became the joint second-highest scorer, and Issoko earned the most assists.

In 2019–20, City Football Group acquired a majority stake in the club. Despite promising moments, injuries hampered the season, with Mumbai finishing fifth and missing the playoffs. Costa’s tenure, marked by defensive strength and key milestones, ended after the season.

Sergio Lobera (October 2020- October 2021)

Total Matches: 23

Won: 14

Draw: 5

Lost: 4

Average Points per Match: 2.04

Best Finish: 1st Place

Worst Finish: 1st Place

Average Finish: 1st Place

Best Signing: Hugo Boumous

Biggest Signing: Hugo Boumous

Worst Signing: Cy Goddard

Best Performing Foreigner:   Hugo Boumous

Best Performing Indian: Amrinder Singh

Trophies: ISL Trophy, ISL Shield

Under City Football Group’s ownership, Mumbai City FC appointed former FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera, signing key players like Hugo Boumous for a record ₹1.6 crore, along with Fall, Jahouh, Mandar, and Jackichand. The team dominated the first phase of the league, earning 25 points from 10 matches, and clinched the League Winners’ Shield with a crucial victory over Mohun Bagan, securing a spot in the 2022 AFC Champions League.

The Islanders sealed their playoff berth in record time and overcame FC Goa in the semifinals via a dramatic penalty shootout. In the final, they defeated ATK Mohun Bagan 2–1, with Bipin Singh’s last-minute goal, becoming the first team to win both the League Winners’ Shield and the ISL trophy in a single season.

Des Buckingham (October 2021- November 2023)

Total Matches: 71

Won: 37

Draw: 12

Lost: 22

Average Points per Match: 1.73

Best Finish: 1st Place

Worst Finish: 5th Place

Average Finish: 4th Place

Best Signing: Lallianzuala Chhangte

Biggest Signing:  Jorge Pereyra Diaz

Worst Signing: N/A

Best Performing Foreigner:   Jorge Pereyra Diaz

Best Performing Indian: Lallianzuala Chhangte

Trophies: ISL Shield

On 8 October 2021, Des Buckingham became Mumbai City FC’s head coach. The team started the 2021–22 season with a 3–0 win over FC Goa but finished fifth, missing the playoffs. In 2022, they became the first Indian club to win an AFC Champions League match, defeating Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 2–1. Buckingham’s contract was extended until 2025 after strong performances, including reaching the Durand Cup final.

In 2022–23, Mumbai City won their second League Winners’ Shield, setting records for points (46), goals (54), and an 18-match unbeaten streak. However, their ISL campaign ended in the semifinals after a penalty shootout loss to Bengaluru FC.

Petr Kratky (December 2023- Present)

Total Matches: 36

Won: 21

Draw: 8

Lost: 7

Average Points per Match: 1.97

Best Finish: 2nd Place

Worst Finish: N/A

Average Finish: N/A

Best Signing: N/A

Biggest Signing: Jon Toral

Worst Signing: N/A

Best Performing Foreigner:  N/A

Best Performing Indian: N/A

Trophies: ISL Trophy

On 9 December 2023, Petr Kratky replaced Des Buckingham as Mumbai City’s head coach. His first match ended in a 0–0 draw against FC Goa, followed by a fiery 2–1 win over Mohun Bagan SG, which saw 11 yellow cards and seven red cards.

In the final league match, Mumbai lost 2–1 to Mohun Bagan, narrowly missing out on the ISL Shield. However, they bounced back in the playoffs, first winning 3–2 against FC Goa in the first leg and securing a 2–0 second-leg victory to reach the ISL Final. Mumbai then defeated Mohun Bagan 3–1 to win their second ISL Cup.

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