Mohun Bagan rope in former Odisha FC coach Sergio Lobera
Sergio Lobera is one of the most successful coaches in ISL history
Sergio Lobera is a name synonymous with winning trophies and accolades. He came to India in 2017, and the rest, as they say, is history. He is the first coach in ISL history to win the ISL Shield and ISL Cup in the same season, with Molina becoming the second coach to do this with the Mariners last season.
After Mohun Bagan failed to reach the semi-finals of the Durand Cup as well as the Kalinga Super Cup despite fielding their full squad, Mohun Bagan parted ways with Jose Molina.
Just hours after Odisha FC officially parted ways with Lobera, the Mariners announced the departure of Molina and the arrival of Lobera.
In this article, we look at Molina’s time in Kolkata and how Lobera transformed a mid-table team like Odisha FC and led them to the AFC Cup Inter-Zone semi-finals. We also find out how Lobera can be the missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle for the reigning champions.
A look at Lobera’s time with Juggernauts
The magician who brought hope and a renewed sense of purpose to the Kalinga Stadium has parted ways with Odisha FC. Under Lobera, a mid-table side like Odisha FC came agonisingly close to winning the ISL Shield in Lobera’s maiden season at the Temple City of India.
The Juggernauts finished seventh last season in the ISL, and it was the first time in five years that a Lobera-led side did not reach the ISL semi-finals.
From holding Asian champions Central Coast Mariners to a goalless draw to almost reaching their ISL Finals, Lobera changed the fate of Odisha in two seasons. Before Sergio Lobera arrived at Odisha FC, they were a mid-table side who never made it to the ISL semi-finals.
Lobera had a tough start at Odisha, but went on to change the tide as Odisha FC went on to top their group and make it to the AFC Cup Inter Zone Semi Finals after defeating tough opponents like Basundhara Kings and Mohun Bagan. However, the last season ended in a disaster as Odisha failed to qualify for the ISL Playoffs as well as the Super Cup quarter-finals.
Molina won the double with the Mariners
The former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper was returning to India with Mohun Bagan after winning the ISL with ATK, way back in 2016. He took Mohun Bagan to the Durand Cup finals before Juan Pedro Benali’s North East United FC won their first-ever major accolade.
Under Molina, Mohun Bagan dominated the Indian top division, and he became the second coach and the first ever in the history of Mohun Bagan to win the ISL Shield and ISL Cup in the same season. Things, however, changed in the new season.
After the Mariners lost two back-to-back Kolkata derby matches against East Bengal and failed to make it to the finals of the Super Cup as well as the Durand Cup, the Mariners management took a firm step to part ways with the Spanish gaffer, making way for the former Barcelona reserves coach to take over the reins.
Can Lobera shine at Kolkata?
It is no wonder that Sergio Lobera is one of the most successful coaches in the history of ISL, and the Mariners couldn’t have found a better alternative than Lobera to replace outgoing Molina. Lobera has previously won the ISL Shield with FC Goa and Mumbai City FC.
Time and again, he has proved his calibre. The flashbacks of the ISL 2020-21 season still remind us how Lobera’s Mumbai City FC went on to shock every single team and won the ISL Shield and the ISL Cup, defeating Mohun Bagan on both decisive occasions.
He showed how well he can handle pressure and outshine when given his set of players. However, coaching in Kolkata is never easy. Managing a side like Mohun Bagan also invites pressure, expectations, and the constant reminder to keep delivering the best results.
Will Sergio Lobera go on to become one of the most revered coaches in Mohun Bagan’s century-old history? Only time can say. But Lobera’s arrival is set to give a major boost to Mohun Bagan fans, who will enter the new ISL season as the defending champions of India.
Who is the new head coach of Mohun Bagan?
Sergio Lobera is the new coach.
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In addition to writing articles on World and Indian Football, Saikat has also covered tournaments like the Durand Cup, Indian Super League, and Hockey India League. Notably, his exceptional communication skills have seen him interview legendary icons like Olympic 2024 gold medalist Yibbi Jansen, former Real Madrid player Javi Hernandez, and many more such sporting stalwarts.