Mohun Bagan also parted ways with their title winning head coach José Molina, creating space for a fresh leadership approach. While Molina helped steady the team during a difficult period and also won Mohun Bagan not just the the ISL Title but also the shield in the 24-25 season, the club felt the need for a long-term tactical vision and a more modern style of play, something Lobera is well known for.

Lobera brings a proven track record in India, having delivered strong results and an exciting brand of football during his time with FC Goa, Mumbai City FC and Odisha FC. His teams are known for possession-based play, attacking movement and disciplined structure, qualities Mohun Bagan fans have been eager to see consistently.

For the club, this appointment marks the beginning of a new project. After recent instability, Mohun Bagan believe Lobera’s experience and clarity can help the team rebuild confidence, shape a strong identity and push for major trophies again.

Supporters are already hopeful. With Lobera stepping in and Molina’s brief tenure coming to an end, the club enters a new era, one built on ambition, stability and a clear footballing philosophy.

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Sergio Lobera joined the Club in October 2020 and oversaw the Club’s most successful campaign ever, when the Islanders became the first team in ISL history to secure both the ISL League Winners’ Shield and the ISL Trophy, completing a double in the 2020-21 season.

After a highly decorated spell in India, Sergio will now be leaving the country to join CFG to work on a fresh challenge.

Englishman Des Buckingham, joins from Melbourne City FC, where he was Assistant Coach to Patrick Kisnorbo, helping the Club towards winning the A-League Premiership and Championship double. He made a significant contribution both on and off the pitch, taking charge of the team on three occasions during the 2020/21 season in the absence of Kisnorbo, in which he had a perfect winning record.

Prior to joining Melbourne City, Des became the youngest coach in A-League history when he took charge of Wellington Phoenix at the age of 31, before a spell with Stoke City’s U-23 team. Des was also the Head Coach of New Zealand’s U-20 and U-23 teams as well the Assistant Coach to the All Whites’ First Team for a brief period. Highly acclaimed for his work with the New Zealand age group sides, Des led the New Zealand U-20s to the Round of 16 in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup before bowing out to Colombia in a penalty shootout. In light of his notable work in the country, Des was named Men’s Coach of the Year at the 2020 New Zealand Football Awards.

Kandarp Chandra, CEO of Mumbai City FC, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Des to Mumbai City. He is an exciting young coach who already has years of experience under his belt. He is incredibly highly thought of within the game and his background at City Football Group ensures continuity for our squad as we head into pre-season. We are very confident that Des is the right choice for Mumbai and we can’t wait to work with him.

“Similarly we are very sad to say goodbye to Sergio. Sergio was a huge part of the most successful season in the Club’s history and has helped to give us great foundations to build on this year. He is hugely admired and respected by everyone at the Club and will always be a very welcome guest in Mumbai. We wish him and his lovely family every success for a bright and happy future in his new endeavours.”

Brian Marwood, Managing Director of Global Football at City Football Group, added:

“Des is an extremely impressive coach who has done an excellent job supporting Patrick Kisnorbo in Melbourne. He is particularly strong dealing with young and emerging players and the Head Coach role at Mumbai City is a step he is ready for. He is well versed in the style of football that the team plays and will continue the fantastic work which Sergio has done.

“Whilst Sergio’s time in India has come to an end, I am delighted that he has chose to continue with City Football Group in a fresh challenge and we are very pleased that we will be able to keep working together”.

New Mumbai City Head Coach, Des Buckingham added:

“I am thrilled to be joining Mumbai City at such a successful period in the Club’s history. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in Australia, but the opportunity to take control of the defending ISL Champions was impossible to turn down. I’m looking forward to arriving in India and learning as much as I can about the Club, the players and the culture and continuing to work with colleagues at CFG to develop our young players and drive the team forward on and off the pitch.”

Des will arrive in India shortly and will undergo the stipulated quarantine before joining the Mumbai City bubble in Goa to commence pre-season preparations ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.

CREDITS- MUMBAI CITY FC MEDIA

For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football

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A team known for their flair going forward, FC Goa has set the benchmark in terms of goals scored by a
team in a single season (43) thanks to Coro, who bagged himself 18, and thus creating a record for goals
scored by a player in a single season.

The second season saw the Gaurs move into the next gear. Not only had the team finished with the
highest number of goals, the best goal difference and the best home record, but also topped the league
in terms of clean sheets.

And Sergio Lobera has no doubts in stating as to where all the credit should go. “It’s the players who
have to be given the credit. They are the real stars and the ones who bring to life our style of play,”
stated Lobera in the post-match press conference following the last league game.

The FC Goa stars have truly delivered, again!

The message

Standing behind the team always has been a wall of orange. Goa’s love for football has yet again shone
through this season as the Fatorda Stadium has been packed to the rafters for most of the games.

Meanwhile, the away trips have also seen fans from across the state travel to cheer on their favourite
names.

Sergio Lobera has time and again stated the importance of the fans in the success of the team.

Talking about the fans ahead of the semi-finals, Sergio Lobera stated, “The only word I want to say to
the fans is ‘thank you.’ All the travels they undertake and trips they make; I know doesn’t come cheap.

But with them there, we never feel alone.

“This year, I think we have been able to give our supporters a lot many reasons to smile,” Lobera added.

“Now I have only one request to make to the fans. In the second leg of the semi-final, in the game we
play at home, I want it to be completely packed and full.

“I know fully well that the game is not on a weekend but on a weekday but I would still request our
supporters to make an effort to come to the stadium.”

The FC Goa style of play has found a soft corner not only in the hearts of fans around India but also
across the league with managers of other teams also appreciating the flair with which the Gaurs take to
the field.

John Gregory recently claimed the Gaurs to be favorites to win the title while Nelo Vingada came into
the Goa dressing following the win over Kerala Blasters to congratulate the team he feels “is the best I
have come up against”.

However, no longer wet behind the ear, the Gaurs as well as Sergio Lobera know that the playoffs are a
totally different ball game. But, with the fans behind the team, everything is possible.

About FC Goa
FC Goa is a professional football club based out of Goa that competes in the Indian Super League. The
club is one of the most consistently successful teams in the competition. The Gaurs have reached the
semis in two occasions and the final in 2015. FC Goa is currently the highest scoring side in league
history.

Co-owned by Mr Jaydev Mody, Mr Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Mr Ashish Kapadia, Mr Akshay Tandon and
MrViratKohli, the club has over the years produced talents such as Mandar Rao Desai, Princeton Rebello
and Manvir Singh who have represented India at various age levels as well as the senior team.

Also Read: Manzi praises Indian brigade ahead of title decider

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