Habas returns following four-match suspension

FC Pune City played without head coach for first four matches this season, Sunday’s home tie against Chennaiyin FC is first time Habas will be seen in the dugout.

Habas came to India to take up the ISL 2014 contract for Atletico de Kolkata after stints as manager with La Liga clubs.

Looking back at missing four matches in ISL season three due to suspension, the inimitable Antonio Habas said: “Four matches (in ISL) is like (missing) 14 La Liga games. What can you expect if a person is away for 14 matches?” asked the Spaniard, asserting that the duration of suspension imposed was not in proportion to the alleged offence.

FC Pune City played without head coach for first four matches this season, Sunday’s home tie against Chennaiyin FC is first time Habas will be seen in the dugout.

“Did I kill anyone, did I hit anyone? Four matches (out of 14 league games for each team home/away basis) is like asking a person to be away for 14 in the La Liga. There is little time to recover.”

The Spaniard used the La Liga to express his point, then said it applied to any coach in the Premier League. Habas came to India to take up the ISL 2014 contract for Atletico de Kolkata after stints as manager with La Liga clubs Celta de Vigo (2008), Valencia CF (2005), Granada Fc (2001), Sporting Gijon (1988).

He switched to FCPC after first two seasons with ATK. The AIFF imposed a four-match suspension on Habas for aggressive behavior in ATK’s concluding match in ISL 2015. The Spaniard sat in the VIP enclosure in ISL season three, assistant coach Miguel took charge in the dugout.