Ex-FC Barcelona manager Sergio Lobera appointed as head coach of Mumbai City FC ahead of ISL
The Spaniard’s appointment was welcomed by Bimal Parekh, co-owner of Mumbai City FC.
By Rohan Abraham, ET Bureau |
Indian Super League (ISL) team Mumbai City FC today announced the appointment of Sergio Lobera as head coach, ahead of the 2020/21 season which starts in November. Lobera, 43, was born in Zaragoza, Spain, and has managerial experience spanning three continents - he has coached clubs in Spain, Morocco, and India, including a spell as assistant manager of FC Barcelona in 2012.
In his most recent innings, Lobera was the head coach of FC Goa, with whom he won the Indian Super Cup in 2019. However, he parted ways with the club in February 2020, 15 games into the 2019-20 edition of the ISL. FC Goa topped the group stage, while Mumbai City FC finished in fifth place, outside the playoff spots.
“I am absolutely delighted to join Mumbai City FC. I have enjoyed my time in the ISL so far, but for me there is still much to be achieved and I believe we will have the players, partners and management to be very competitive next season. I think the Islanders have huge potential and I’m looking forward to working with the players as soon as possible.
“The opportunity to work with Mumbai City FC and City Football Group in the next chapter of my career was also a big attraction of the role and I am impressed by the infrastructure, connectivity and thinking that goes across all of their clubs around the world,” said Lobera, who will be joined by some familiar faces in the dugout.
His coaching team will include assistant coach Jesús Tato and fitness and conditioning coach, Manuel Sayabera, both of whom were previously with FC Goa. Another member of Lobera’s backroom team at Mumbai City FC will be goalkeeping coach, Juan Maria Cruz Arias, who previously worked with him at Moroccan club Moghreb Tétouan.
The Spaniard’s appointment was welcomed by Bimal Parekh, co-owner of Mumbai City FC.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sergio to Mumbai. He is fantastic coach with a winning pedigree and we are confident that he has all the skills and qualities to take this team to the next level. He has already shown that he has what it takes to win the Super Cup and his winning mentality will help us to compete at the very top,” Parekh said.
City Football Group (CFG), who own Premier League club Manchester City, introduced Sergio Lobera to the management of Mumbai City FC. CFG has entered into an agreement with the club to acquire majority stake in Mumbai City FC, as a part of the group’s effort to diversify their investments in the football world. The group currently owns Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos, MSL team New York City FC, A-League side Melbourne City, and Girona, which plays in Spain’s Segunda División
It was reported by the Times of India that CFG will acquire 65% stake in Mumbai City FC, with the present owners, Ranbir Kapoor and Bimal Parekh, holding the remaining shares. Damian Willoughby, who was appointed the head of City Football Group India last year, is expected to take on the mantle of the club’s CEO after the takeover is complete. The acquisition is pending final approval. Mumbai City FC begin their 2020/21 ISL campaign against NorthEast United FC.
In his most recent innings, Lobera was the head coach of FC Goa, with whom he won the Indian Super Cup in 2019. However, he parted ways with the club in February 2020, 15 games into the 2019-20 edition of the ISL. FC Goa topped the group stage, while Mumbai City FC finished in fifth place, outside the playoff spots.
“I am absolutely delighted to join Mumbai City FC. I have enjoyed my time in the ISL so far, but for me there is still much to be achieved and I believe we will have the players, partners and management to be very competitive next season. I think the Islanders have huge potential and I’m looking forward to working with the players as soon as possible.
“The opportunity to work with Mumbai City FC and City Football Group in the next chapter of my career was also a big attraction of the role and I am impressed by the infrastructure, connectivity and thinking that goes across all of their clubs around the world,” said Lobera, who will be joined by some familiar faces in the dugout.
His coaching team will include assistant coach Jesús Tato and fitness and conditioning coach, Manuel Sayabera, both of whom were previously with FC Goa. Another member of Lobera’s backroom team at Mumbai City FC will be goalkeeping coach, Juan Maria Cruz Arias, who previously worked with him at Moroccan club Moghreb Tétouan.
The Spaniard’s appointment was welcomed by Bimal Parekh, co-owner of Mumbai City FC.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We are thrilled to welcome Sergio to Mumbai. He is fantastic coach with a winning pedigree and we are confident that he has all the skills and qualities to take this team to the next level. He has already shown that he has what it takes to win the Super Cup and his winning mentality will help us to compete at the very top,” Parekh said.
City Football Group (CFG), who own Premier League club Manchester City, introduced Sergio Lobera to the management of Mumbai City FC. CFG has entered into an agreement with the club to acquire majority stake in Mumbai City FC, as a part of the group’s effort to diversify their investments in the football world. The group currently owns Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos, MSL team New York City FC, A-League side Melbourne City, and Girona, which plays in Spain’s Segunda División
It was reported by the Times of India that CFG will acquire 65% stake in Mumbai City FC, with the present owners, Ranbir Kapoor and Bimal Parekh, holding the remaining shares. Damian Willoughby, who was appointed the head of City Football Group India last year, is expected to take on the mantle of the club’s CEO after the takeover is complete. The acquisition is pending final approval. Mumbai City FC begin their 2020/21 ISL campaign against NorthEast United FC.
The summer of sport is in jeopardy. As the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the globe, organisers are cutting their losses and either cancelling or postponing marquee sporting events till the public health crisis abates.
The Tokyo Olympics have been postponed.
Here’s a roundup of all the major sporting events that have been upended by coronavirus.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
