Top three head coaches with most appearances in ISL playoffs

These tacticians have succeeded in taking their teams deep into ISL playoffs in most seasons.

The Indian Super League 2023-24 season is close to moving into the playoffs. Six teams have the chance of lifting the ISL title and playing Asian football next season. Making it into the ISL playoffs has become easier in recent seasons with the criteria moving to the top six rather than the initial top four.

However, for head coaches, it’s tricky to guide teams to the playoffs multiple times. That is because of the sheer competition for a playoff spot – which reached a fever pitch this season. Moreover, because of the ISL teams’ demands, many coaches often get sacked before being able to complete multiple campaigns with a team.

With that being said, there are a few tacticians who have stood above the rest in their ability to guide teams to the ISL playoffs. Here we look at the top three head coaches with the most appearances in the Indian Super League playoffs.

3. Ivan Vukomanovic, Juan Ferrando, Owen Coyle, Manolo Marquez- 3 Playoffs

Ivan Vukomanovic is among four coaches in ISL history to make the playoffs three times. However, the advantage he holds over the likes of Juan Ferrando, Owen Coyle, and Manolo Marquez is that he has done it in fewer games. The Yugoslavian tactician has been able to guide Kerala Blasters to the ISL playoffs for the last three successive seasons.

He was able to help them get to the 2021-22 ISL final too – where they suffered a heart-breaking loss on penalties to Hyderabad FC. Vukomanovic has had Kerala Blasters playing thrilling attacking football under him, scoring 114 goals in 75 matches and having a 44% win rate. He’ll hope to guide them to finally win the ISL title at the third attempt this season.

2. Sergio Lobera- 4 Playoffs

Sergio Lobera arrived in the ISL in 2017 with an enviable coaching pedigree, having been a coach at Barcelona’s youth academy for almost a decade. The Spaniard was roped in by FC Goa and almost immediately transformed them into genuine ISL heavyweights. Goa reached the ISL playoffs in their first season under him, scoring the most goals in the league phase. They reached the ISL final in the 2018-19 season, again dominating goalscoring stats.

Lobera, however, left FC Goa before the 2019-20 season ended and months later was unveiled as Mumbai City’s coach. In his only full season with Mumbai, the Spaniard helped them win the League Winners’ Shield. Lobera made his return to the ISL in the 2023-24 season and has helped Odisha FC make the playoffs, where he hopes to guide them to win the title for the first time. Lobera has reached the playoffs four times as a head coach, winning the ISL final once.

1. Antonio Lopoez Habas- 5 Playoffs

Antonio Lopez Habas won his first ISL League Winners’ Shield by guiding Mohun Bagan to a thrilling win over Mumbai City in the final game of the league phase this season. In doing so, he also set another record to reassert his position as the most decorated head coach in ISL history.

The 2023-24 season marks the fifth season in which Habas has been able to guide his side to the ISL playoffs. He did it in the first two ISL seasons with the-then Atletico de Kolkata before an underwhelming stint at FC Pune City. Habas returned to Kolkata to take over ATK in the 2019-20 season – taking them to the playoffs and helping them win the title too!

In the 2020-21 season, he took the then ATK Mohun Bagan to the ISL playoffs – but lost out on both the Shield and playoffs title to Mumbai City. However, he got his revenge this season by guiding Mohun Bagan to the Shield and aims to do the double too. Habas has not only gotten to the ISL playoffs five times in his career but is also the head coach with the most ISL appearances under his belt – which is 108 and counting.

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