Top five high-profile management departures from ISL clubs

These figures took vital behind-the-scenes decisions regarding the functioning of their respective clubs

A football club needs a figurehead who can ensure its smooth functioning. There are a myriad of decisions that are taken behind the scenes, away from the glare of the media or fans. While what happens on the pitch is the sporting side of the club, the management team handles the administrative side. 

The Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have seen their managerial figureheads face some new and strenuous challenges. Among the many responsibilities, some vital ones are recruiting head coaches, signing players, hiring support staff, bringing investors in and building a connection with the community.

The responsibilities are endless and therefore the role requires experts. However, the focus here is on the recent management-level departures in the ISL. These figureheads have left their respective clubs after working tirelessly towards their progress:

5. Mumbai City FC DoF Watson Fernandes

https://twitter.com/KhelNow/status/1409741974895095811

Mumbai City FC recently announced the departure of their former team manager and Director of Football Watson Fernandes. He was part of the Islanders from the first season onward back in 2014. Watson started out as a team manager and slowly worked his way to the role of Director of Football. 

This is one of the most crucial managerial posts, if not the most important at any football club or association. Watson Fernandes left the club on the highest of highs. He oversaw the club finally lifting the ISL title.

4. CFG India CEO Damian Willoughby

Damian Willoughby deserves the credit for transforming Mumbai City FC into the champion team of today. Following City Football Group’s takeover of the club in 2019, their India CEO Damian Willoughby oversaw the functioning of the club, which brought in players like Hugo Boumos and head coach Sergio Lobera along with other star names. He has now left his role as the India CEO of CFG.

Wiloughby joined Premier League giants Manchester City back in 2013 and took up the role of Global Head of Sales. CFG are a British-based holding company which administers association football clubs. Under their umbrella, they have Manchester City FC, Melbourne City FC, New York City FC, and Girona and more in addition to MCFC in the ISL. 

3. Chennaiyin FC CTO Amoy Ghoshal

Chennaiyin FC Chief Technical Officer Amoy Ghoshal has departed from the role. He was part of the CFC family since the debut season in the ISL back in 2014. Amoy was a key figure in making Chennaiyin FC the second-most successful club in the ISL. The outfit have won the ISL on two occasions (2015 and 2017/18) and finished as runners-up in 2019/20. 

The credit for their success falls on Ghoshal’s relentless work behind the scenes. He has been working in Indian football for more than a decade. Former head coach John Gregory thanked his expertise in terms of players, connections and opponents after the 2017/18 ISL success. 

2. Odisha FC CEO Rohan Sharma 

Rohan Sharma, the owner and former CEO of Odisha FC recently stepped down from his role at the club. His family still owns the club and Rohan will continue to play the role of an advisor to the outfit. Rohan Sharma’s tryst with OFC began in 2016, back when Delhi Dynamos used to exist.

The family bought a majority stake in the club and later took up complete ownership. The owners changed base from New Delhi to Bhubaneswar ahead of the 2019/20 season. Rohan was one of the brains behind the idea of shifting bases, which gave birth to Odisha FC. 

1. Mumbai City FC CEO Indranil Das Blah

Indranil Das Blah stepped down from his role as CEO of Mumbai City FC ahead of the 2020/21 season. The club cited that he chose to leave the club to pursue other opportunities. Blah was part of the Islanders' family since the beginning and oversaw six editions of the ISL. Unfortunately, he left one season too early, before the club went on to lift the ISL title in 2020/21. 

Indranil Blah, before separating from the club, said, "I wish the Club all the very best, as it enters a new chapter under the CFG ownership and I have absolutely no doubt that the Club is in very good hands." Indeed the club is in very good hands and credit goes to Indranil for setting a strong foundation at the club.

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