List of Punjab FC coaches and their performance in ISL

Punjab FC have impressed in the ISL but still have a long way to go.

Punjab FC, the Indian Super League (ISL) outlet, is the first club to progress into the league by earning promotion from the I-League. It is the only club from North India to have won the I-League title.

In 2019, RoundGlass Sports Private Ltd and Punjab FC Private Ltd, promoters of the I-League team Minerva Punjab FC, announced a 50/50 merger between the two entities, effective from July 30, 2019. Later that same year, in October, they rebranded as Punjab FC, and after a few months, RoundGlass Sports acquired a 100% stake in Punjab FC.

In this article, we will explore the performance of the coaches of Punjab FC, known as the Shers, in the ISL, the first-division football league of India.

Staikos Vergetis (August. 2022 to June 2024)

Total matches: 22

Won: 6

Draw: 6

Lost: 10

Average points per match: 1.09

Best finish: 8th

Worst finish: 8th

Average finish: 8th

Best signing: Madih Talal

Biggest signing: Madih Talal

Worst signing: NA

Best performing foreigners under him: Madih Talal, Luka Majcen, and William Jordan

Best performing Indian under him: Nikhil Prabhu, Suresh Meitei

Trophies: I league, 2022-24

Staikos Vergetis, the tactician from Greece, was appointed as the head coach of Punjab FC in August 2022. The Greek tactician, who had the experience of guiding Asteras Tripolis to the UEFA Europa League group stages, two times, helped Punjab FC win the I-League 2022-23 season. This success paved the way for Punjab FC to participate in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season.

In the I-league season, 2022–23, the club dominated the second division of professional club competition in India. The Shers won 16 games, drew 4, and lost just 2. They netted 45 goals and conceded only 29 in that I-League season.

In the ISL 2023-24, Punjab FC initially found it hard to gain the new ground. They had to wait until their 11th game of the season for their first win. Finally, on 18th December, they managed a hard-fought victory over Chennaiyin FC.

After this, the club performed well and remained in the race for the playoffs till the end. However, their debut ISL season ended with an 8th-place finish on the points table. The Shers ranked higher than experienced ISL clubs such as Bengaluru FC, East Bengal FC, Jamshedpur FC, and Hyderabad FC. Despite this, Punjab FC decided to part ways with the Greek tactician.

Panagiotis Dilmperis ( June 2024 to now)

Total matches: 13

Won: 6

Draw: 0

Lost: 7

Average points per match: 1.38

Best finish: NA

Worst finish: NA

Average finish: NA

Best signing: Ivan Novoselec

Biggest signing: Mushaga Bakenga

Worst signing: Mushaga Bakenga

Best performing foreigner under him: Norberto Ezequiel Vidal

Best performing Indian under him: Nihal Sudheesh, Nikhil Prabhu

Panagiotis Dilmperis joined the club this ongoing ISL season. A UEFA A license holder, the Greek tactician was previously associated with clubs such as A.E. Ermionida FC, Panserraikos FC, Rochester NY FC, Agrotikos Asteras, and Iraklis Larisas FC.

The ISL 2024-25 journey started on a positive note. The Shers managed to win their first three games and looked like one of the favourites for the season. However, Punjab FC is now on a four-match losing streak and currently sits in 8th position with 18 points.

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