In the space of just two months and three days, Mumbai City FC head coach Alexandre Guimarães completely changed the fortunes of the club. A club which was associated with inconsistency and a leaky defence was transformed into one which finished on top of the table and kept rock solid nine clean sheets. If the Costa Rican can pull off such a feat in a little more than 60 days, then this year's Hero Indian Super League - which is exactly two months longer than the previous seasons - will give him and other head coaches time to impart their ideas on their squads in a more effective manner.
Read more: ISL Media Day 2017 Photo Gallery
I think this season, there will be enough time for recovery, preparation and even try different styles. A longer league means every manager will have more time to impart their ideas to their team and know players better," Alexandre Guimarães.
Guimarães is the only returning head coach unless you count Alberto Roca, who was in charge of Bengaluru FC when the club was part of the Hero I-League last season. But while Guimarães didn't bat an eyelid before accepting the offer to coach in Mumbai for one more year, FC Goa midfielder Bruno Pinheiro said that a longer season was the biggest reason in his return to India. Pinheiro played for the Gaurs in the first season and is back after a two-year gap.
Read more: Hero ISL Season 4 Final To Be Played In Kolkata; Opening Game Shifts To Kochi
One of the main reasons for me agreeing to come back is the extension of the league. The biggest advantage of this is for the players, who need time to recover and a longer season means better performances," the Portuguese said.
All the Head Coaches who spoke at the Hero ISL's Media Day on Friday, November 10, 2017, in Mumbai were categorical about the number of ideas they wanted to implement on their teams - and that all these ideas needed time to be executed.
Read more: New Season, New Kit! Mumbai City FC Launch New Home Jersey Ahead Of Hero ISL Season 4
With the league lasting for double that of its previous editions, this will be the season that coaches and players will cherish in terms of learning and executing their skills on the pitch.
Hero ISL 2017-18 kicks off on November 17, 2017.
Share
Tweet
