Chennaiyin FC announce backroom staff for 2020-21 season

Head coach Csaba Laszlo was pleased after the announcement of the trio.

Assistant coach Admir Kozlić, Goalkeeping Coach Martin Raška and Sports Scientist Csaba Gábriš have joined Chennaiyin FC as Head Coach Csaba László’s backroom staff for the 2020-21 season.

"I am delighted to confirm my staff members, that includes Admir, Martin and my namesake Csaba! Along with the existing staff, our aim is to have a successful season on and off the pitch. We will do everything in our power to create a family atmosphere that helps the team achieve the objectives on the pitch, that is to win matches. We aspire to play an attractive brand of football that will please our fans watching back home. I along with the trio joining us cannot wait to get started with the team on the training pitch. Exciting times lie ahead!" said a pleased László on the announcement.

35-year-old Kozlić, who hails from Bosnia-Herzegovina, was formerly the Assistant Coach at Slovakian top-tier side DAC Streda, where László has managed in the past. Kozlić has also served in the same role at Bosnian clubs FK Sarajevo, FK Olimpik Sarajevo and Čelik Zenica; and has worked with the Austria U-21s team as well.

“My immense gratitude to everyone at Chennaiyin FC for the warm welcome. To join a club with such a great reputation is a challenge I am really looking forward to. I am excited about working with the players on the pitch and developing them. And to help the club achieve our goals. Along with our Head Coach, I have a good rapport with the entire staff already. Our first objective will be to ensure our entire squad adapts well to the surroundings, and that we finish in the top four,” said a focused Kozlić on joining CFC.

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43-year-old Raška from Czech Republic, a former custodian at FC Midtjylland in Denmark, Spartak Trnava in Slovakia and Baník Ostrava from his homeland, joins CFC following three years at DAC Streda as Goalkeeping Coach.

“I am very proud of joining this club, it is a special moment for me. I believe our club has a top group of people, not just the goalkeepers! I will try my best to improve the level of our goalkeepers, including the youngsters in our ranks. Our entire team is hungry to succeed and put on a good show on the pitch. I won’t just say we want to become champions because every team will say that. It will be more important for us to work together as a unit every single day on the training pitch,” said a delighted Raška after his arrival at the club.

32-year-old Slovakian Sports Scientist Csaba Gábriš worked alongside Raška at DAC Streda before coming to Chennaiyin. He also has extensive experience of working with CFC’s Head Coach László at DAC Streda, and at Scotland’s Dundee United and Romanian outfit Sepsi as the Strength & Conditioning Coach. “CFC is a great and successful club, from a great city with a massive fan base. Unfortunately, we will miss them from the stadiums this time, but I am sure, we will feel their support! This is the first time I am working in Asia, but my impressions are very positive."

"I know our Head Coach (Csaba László) since 2017; we have worked together in three different clubs in three different countries. I know the playing style he prefers, so I understand the way players should be prepared for that. The short preparation period this season will be a challenge, but we will work together with the players and ensure they are ready for the entire season,” said a determined Gábriš after becoming a part of Chennaiyin FC.