Shortly after Juan Ferrando led Mohun Bagan Super Giant to an ISL title in the 2022–2023 season, the MBSG management have decided to part ways with the Spanish head coach in the subsequent season. Additionally, this season, he guided the team to their record 17th Durand Cup success. However, the Mohun Bagan Super Giant management have made this decision as a result of the recent decline in the team’s league performances and the early AFC Cup exit. The Spaniard is anticipated to be replaced by Antonio Lopez Habas, a former manager and the current technical director of the club
On December 20, 2021, almost immediately following Antonio Lopez Habas’ resignation, the 43-year-old former FC Goa manager took charge of the Mariners. Juan Ferrando guided the Mariners to the semi-finals despite taking over the team midway through the season. But they were knocked out on aggregate by Hyderabad FC. After a dismal start to the season in which they were eliminated from the Durand Cup group stages, he guided the Mariners to the ISL trophy in his first full season in command. At the end of the previous season, he was given a one-year contract extension, but the management has shown the exit door for the Spanish tactician midway through the ongoing season.
Taking into account the team’s budget and the team’s recent results, the choice is hardly surprising. Three of the Mariners’ last five games have ended in losses, including a 4-1 humiliation at Salt Lake Stadium against FC Goa. In addition, they have failed to win all six of their previous home games. In this season’s AFC Cup, Juan Ferrando’s team has failed to advance past the group stages, finishing third behind Odisha FC and Basundhara Kings. Juan Ferrnado’s final game as manager of the Mohun Bagan Super Giants was a 1-0 loss against Kerala Blasters FC.
The Mariners will be led by Antonio Lopez Habas. He has previously managed the team in the 2020-21 season and the first half of the 2021–22 season. He also had two stints with ATK FC in the past, from 2014–2016 and the 2019–20 campaign. He guided ATK FC to the ISL championship in 2014 and the 2019–20 campaign. The management of Mohun Bagan SG will be hoping for improvements in the second half of the season, as the team is presently positioned fifth in the ISL standings, five points off the top with two games in hand.
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