FC Pune City has announced that former Atletico de Kolkata manager Antonio Habas is to take over as its head coach for the 2016-17 Indian Super League (ISL) season at an event in the city where media was present.
The man himself - Antonio Lopez Habas. The new manager of >@FCPuneCity>#KarPunekar>pic.twitter.com/na7wxkS0ZP
— FC Pune City (@FCPuneCity) >April 25, 2016
The Pune-based team finished seventh in the previous edition of ISL under former Manchester City assistant manager David Platt and the Hrithik Roshan co-owned club will be hoping Habas can help the team scale new heights in the upcoming season.
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“My philosophy is simple. We have to win. Have a consolidated group, have tactical discipline and be a family,” said the newly-appointed coach.
“We have to have a winning mentality. I have to convince the players immediately that we are going to win,” he added.
He is the third head coach signed by the club so far after Italian Franco Colomba and Englishman David Platt. “Habas was chosen due to his ISL experience and track record. He was the best option,” explained Gaurav Modwel, CEO. Four Indian players from last year's squad have been retained and five new faces have been signed.
Asked about the reason for the club switch from successful ATK to struggling FCPC, Habas said the Pune franchise's clear vision and commitment to team-building and focus on talent development made him take the decision. “I am a coaching professional and decided to move on.” Pune City failed to qualify for the knockouts in the first two seasons of the ISL.
Habas led Atletico de Kolkata to victory the 2014 ISL and helped the Red and Whites qualify for the knockout stages last year. However, the coach was handed a four-match ban by the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Disciplinary Committee and a fine of Rs.5 lakh for his antics during the second leg of the semifinals at the Salt Lake Stadium against Chennaiyin FC.
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