ISL 2024-25: Coaches and Players Share Insights and Goals on Media Day 2

by FC September 5, 2024

The second day of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 Media Day wrapped up in Kochi, featuring key insights from coaches and players of six clubs.

Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Hyderabad FC, Mumbai City FC, and FC Goa. The session highlighted the teams’ preparations and ambitions as they gear up for the upcoming season.

Chennaiyin FC’s Vision for Indian Football

Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle set an inspiring tone, discussing the broader impact of the ISL on Indian football. Coyle emphasized the collective responsibility to elevate the sport and expressed optimism about the future. “We all have a duty towards improving Indian football. All of us want the Indian Super League to be spoken of highly. Now that my good friend Manolo (Marquez) is with the Indian side, hopefully the national team will start moving up the FIFA rankings too. I don’t think it’s too far-fetched that we could be working to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 8-10 years. There is true potential in India,” Coyle remarked.

Kerala Blasters FC Under New Leadership

Kerala Blasters FC, now under new head coach Mikael Stahre, are looking forward to a fresh start. Stahre expressed his excitement about working with the passionate fan base in Kochi and the club’s readiness for the new season. “Kerala Blasters FC is a big club with a massive fan-base who pack the stadiums completely in every single match, which is a part of the reason behind my coming here. We trained for a month in Thailand under great facilities and I have been very pleased with that. The guys have been super committed from the very first second; it’s a great group of players who are eager to develop themselves,” Stahre said.

Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC’s Renewed Rivalry

Mumbai City FC, having undergone a squad overhaul, are preparing for a new chapter under head coach Petr Kratky. Kratky acknowledged the dynamic nature of football and focused on his team’s adaptability. “We are starting a new chapter, which is why I am very excited. We have new players and new staff. We are working very hard behind the scenes to achieve our goals. It’s about continuing the processes; we want to be at the top all of the time. Changes are part of football, people come and go, but we always try to put work together and work in the same direction as before,” Kratky stated.

Bengaluru FC, led by coach Gerard Zaragoza, are ready to capitalize on their revamped squad. Zaragoza, who took over midway through last season, is eager for a full campaign with his new signings. “We have worked well since pre-season to sign the players that we would need to succeed. The most important thing for us is to dominate the games with and without the ball. Our idea is to make our fans happy, win as many games as possible, and see where we can arrive,” Zaragoza said.

FC Goa’s Sandesh Jhingan Returns

FC Goa defender Sandesh Jhingan is excited to make his return after a knee injury sidelined him for the latter half of last season. Reflecting on his recovery, Jhingan shared his anticipation to rejoin his teammates. “The rehab, for any player, at such a pivotal point of the season, I had to miss out half of the season and also the important games for the national team. I have been really lucky and grateful for the people around me. I have begun training with the team and will be back in action within a few games,” Jhingan said.

Hyderabad FC’s Quest for Redemption

Hyderabad FC, under new ownership and aiming to bounce back from a challenging previous season, are focused on regaining their top form. Head coach Thangboi Singto highlighted the club’s past success and the drive to restore their competitive edge. “We had a very interesting journey, I’d say. Some of the youngsters responded strongly. We want to rebuild and come back progressively strong, and I hope nobody forgets that Hyderabad FC is also an ISL champion. I am sure we will deliver better performances this year,” Singto commented.

The ISL 2024-25 season is set to commence on Friday, September 13, 2024, with an opening match between ISL League Winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant and ISL Cup Winners Mumbai City FC at 7:30pm IST. Fans can catch the action live on JioCinema and the Sports18 network.

Also Read: ISL 2024-25: Coaches Share Insights and Ambitions Ahead of New Season

Also Read: Manolo’s men held by Mauritius in Intercontinental Cup opener

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