EXCLUSIVE: ISL side Bengaluru FC set to appoint Pep Muñoz as new head coach

Spanish tactician lined up for long-term role as Blues move on from Renedy Singh.

In a significant mid-season development, Bengaluru FC are at the final stage of appointing Spanish coach José Pep Muñoz Zoyo as their new head coach, replacing Renedy Singh, who is set to continue at the club in a different role

Khel Now understands that the deal has been agreed upon between Pep Muñoz and the club, and final paperwork is likely to be completed in the next 24-28 hours. The 46-year-old is expected to take charge for the remainder of the 2025–26 Indian Super League season and continue into the next one. The move effectively brings an end to Renedy Singh’s tenure as a head coach, marking a clear shift in direction from the club’s hierarchy.

“Bengaluru FC board has already made their decision a few weeks ago that they will need to bring a new head coach, not just for this season but for the next season also”, a source told Khel Now.

Why the change now?

The timing has raised a few eyebrows.

Bengaluru FC are fourth in the ISL 2025-26 table with 11 points, just three behind Mumbai City FC. Results haven’t been poor either, with wins over Mohammedan Sporting and Inter Kashi, and a draw against Mohun Bagan Super Giant. But the loss to Punjab FC seems to have pushed the club towards a call they had already been considering.

Renedy Singh had stabilised the side after Gerard Zaragoza’s departure, especially during a difficult phase off the pitch. The team became more compact, more pragmatic.

But the thinking at the club looks slightly different now.

“The timing of the changing head coach has shocked many, but Bengaluru FC thinks that the international break will give Pep Muñoz enough time to make changes in the training ground and time also to prepare for next season,” the source added.

By bringing Muñoz in before the end of the season, the club are effectively giving him a head start. Instead of waiting for the summer, he will now have the opportunity to assess the current squad in competitive matches and identify the areas that require strengthening.

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Why Pep Muñoz?

Muñoz fits a profile Bengaluru FC have gone with before. Spanish coaches, structured football, control of the game.

He has worked within Barcelona’s youth setup with Barça U19 and Barcelona B, which is where the positional play ideas come from. That background has been a factor.

“Pep Muñoz has impressed Bengaluru FC owners with the work done in Asian Football, and also having La Masia coaching education has given him an edge over other candidates”, the source said.

He is also not new to Asia. Muñoz has spent time in China with Qingdao Huanghai and Shandong Luneng and has also worked with the China national team.

His first full role as head coach came in Cambodia with Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng. In his two-year stint, they won the league twice, cup once and made a run to the AFC Challenge League final. That part of his CV has been noted.

Tactical shift incoming

On the pitch, there will likely be a shift.

Under Renedy, Bengaluru FC were more direct, more comfortable without the ball.

Pep Muñoz’s preferred system is a structured 4-2-3-1, built around midfield control and positional discipline. Two holding midfielders, organised pressing, and width are used to create overloads.

He is not about possession for its own sake, but about controlling spaces and dictating tempo.

That won’t change overnight.

Players who thrive in open transitions may need to adjust, while those comfortable in structured roles could become more important.

There is also the short-term aspect. Bengaluru FC are still in the race for the AFC Champions League Two spots. So it’s not just about next season yet.

That balance results now; changes for later, are where this appointment will be judged first.

Muñoz’s first game in charge will be an away fixture against Manolo Márquez’s FC Goa (4 April 2026), who are also part of the title race alongside BFC.

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