Top coaches from Indian Super League Season 2: Where are they now?

The second edition of ISL had several well-known managers leading the clubs.

Since its inception in 2014, the Indian Super League (ISL) has successfully roped in not just players of star quality, but coaches too. It has added to the competitiveness of the league, while also showing intent from the clubs participating in it. The 2015 edition of the ISL was no different.

Infact, there were two former World Cup winners, one Brazilian legend and one well-known European striker, among others in the managerial capacity. Unfortunately, none of them are currently plying their trade in the country.

Khel Now takes a quick look at the eight coaches of the 2015 ISL season and where they are now:

Roberto Carlos (Delhi Dynamos)

A legendary player of his time whose managerial career isn’t so stellar, Roberto Carlos took over the coaching role at Delhi Dynamos in 2015 for one season. Until then, he’d overseen forgetful spells in Russia and Turkey.

He guided the club into the playoffs after a fourth place finish but lost out to Goa in the semi-finals. Yet, the Brazilian didn’t return for another season, sighting ‘offers’ from European clubs. However, Carlos hasn’t taken up any managerial role since stepping down from Delhi. 

Nicolas Anelka (Mumbai City)

The ‘original journeyman’ saw out his playing career at Mumbai City, his 12th and final club, joining the side for the inaugural edition of the ISL in 2014, before taking up the role of player-coach in the following year.

He could only achieve a sixth place finish in that season, as the Islanders failed to qualify for the playoffs once again. Anelka, who’d signed on for the role for only the 2015 edition, retired from all capacity thereafter. He later returned to manage Lyon’s youth side in 2018. 

Currently, he’s the sporting director at French side Hyeres FC.

Terry Phelan (Kerala Blasters)

Indian football fans might recognize him for his punditry with the Sony Pictures Networks. However, the former Manchester City and Everton player also had a brief stint as the manager of Kerala Blasters in the 2015 season.

Phelan took over the helm in November after Peter Taylor was sacked following a series of disappointing results. However, he couldn’t really turn the fortunes of the side around, as the Yellow Army finished at the bottom of the table. He’s presently the technical director at Bengaluru’s South United, joining in 2019.

Cesar Farias (NorthEast United)

Cesar Farias is a well-known manager in the Americas, having coached 13 teams in four countries, including Bolivia’s national side. His only stint away from the region came with NorthEast United in 2015.

The Highlanders had finished last in the competition’s inaugural season, so he had a tough challenge on his hands. But, the Venezuelan came through with flying colors, guiding them to a fifth place finish.

Farias returned to South America in 2016 to continue his managerial career and was last seen at the helm of Bolivia’s U-23 side.

David Platt (FC Pune City)

With the experience of coaching roles at Sampdoria, England U-21s and Manchester City under his belt, fans expected a lot from from David Platt at Pune City. But, the side failed to qualify for the playoffs once again, finishing seventh, one place below their 2014 mark.

Following his side's disappointing performance, it was confirmed that he won’t return for the 2016 season. After a three-year-long hiatus, Platt joined Italian side Palermo as a club consultant in December 2018.

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