Managers with most ISL trophies in history

It takes a lot of willpower for a tactician to succeed in ISL.

Over 10 years of the Indian Super League’s (ISL) existence, plenty of high-calibre head coaches have come to the Indian shores. Tacticians from all over Europe, especially from Spain and England, have taken charge of several ISL outfits and achieved success with them.

Managers who had experience in leading teams at the top level brought their expertise to the Indian Super League and contributed to its success. Achieving success in the ISL is a major achievement, as head coaches do not have the luxury of time here.

If results do not go favourably, then head coaches do not last long in their positions and are moved on. Therefore, winning trophies such as the ISL League Winners’ Shield and the ISL title while developing young players in a short period takes a lot of effort and a bit of luck.

Keeping the focus on the head coaches who have been impressive in the premier league competition in India, here is a look at the managers with the most ISL trophies in history:

5. Manolo Marquez, Juan Ferrando, Carles Cuadrat, John Gregory, Jose Molina and Marco Materazzi – 1 title (1 ISL Trophy)

Manolo Marquez has become one of the most sought-after managers in Indian football after his magnificent work with Hyderabad FC. The Spaniard took over the Nizams in 2020 and guided them to a fifth-place finish in his first season. In his second campaign, the 55-year-old won the ISL title.

After another playoffs finish with Hyderabad in 2022-23, he joined FC Goa in 2023-24 and helped them qualify for the playoffs too. His work with young Indian players and developing them has earned him a lot of praise. A huge section of Indian football fans want him to take the Indian football team head coach job.

In addition to Manolo Marquez, head coaches such as Juan Ferrando, Carles Cuadrat, John Gregory, Jose Molina and Marco Materazzi have also won the ISL title by winning the playoffs once.

4. Des Buckingham – 1 title (1 ISL League Winners’ Shield)

Des Buckingham arrived on Indian shores to take over at Mumbai City FC, in 2021. Before joining the Islanders, the Englishman impressed as caretaker manager of the New Zealand football team and Melbourne City in the A-League. In his time in the ISL, the tactician won the ISL League Winners’ Shield in the 2022-23 season.

He also led Mumbai City to a brilliant 2022-23 AFC Champions League campaign, finishing second in Group B with two wins, one draw and three defeats. He left midway through the 2023-24 season to join Oxford United in the EFL Championship.

3. Owen Coyle – 1 title (1 ISL League Winners’ Shield)

Owen Coyle joined the Indian Super League in 2019, signing for Chennaiyin FC in December when they were struggling. The former manager of several Premier League teams had an immediate impact and took the Marina Machans to the playoffs. 

Later, the tactician signed for Jamshedpur FC and helped the side win the ISL League Winners’ Shield during the 2021-22 campaign. His second stint with Chennaiyin saw him guide the club to the playoffs in the 2023-24 season. The 57-year-old continues to be held in high regard for his contribution to the ISL’s growth.

2. Antonio Habas – 3 titles (2 ISL Trophies, 1 ISL League Winners’ Shield)

Antonio Lopez Habas is presently the technical director at Mohun Bagan Super Giant and helped the side win the 2023-24 ISL League Winners’ Shield after taking over as head coach midway through the season. Before that, he became the first manager in the ISL to win the playoffs twice with the same team (Atletico de Kolkata/ATK) after their ISL title wins in 2014 and 2019-20 respectively.

With three major trophies under his belt, Antonio Lopez Habas shares the title of the most successful manager in the Indian Super League with Sergio Lobera. He is one the best tacticians to grace the competition since its inception.

1. Sergio Lobera – 3 titles (2 ISL League Winners’ Shields, 1 ISL Trophy)

Sergio Lobera is one of the most successful managers in the history of the Indian Super League. He won the ISL League Winners’ Shield and the ISL title with Mumbai City in 2020-21, doing the elusive double in a single season. Before that, he secured the Super Cup with FC Goa during the 2018-19 campaign. Overall, Lobera has three major titles, two League Winners’ Shields (2019-20 with FC Goa and 2020-21 with Mumbai City) and one ISL title (2020-21 with Mumbai City).

Currently, he is leading the evolution of Odisha FC into one of the heavyweights in Indian football. The Spanish tactician guided them to the 2023-24 playoffs in the ISL and an Inter-zone playoff semi-final (quarter-final) finish in the 2023-24 AFC Cup.

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