After seven game weeks into the 2021-22 Hero Indian Super League season, ATK Mohun Bagan has appointed former FC Goa manager Juan Fernando as their new manager to replace the outgoing ISL legend, Antonio Lopez Habas.
Starting the season on a high, ATK Mohun Bagan picked up two big wins against Kerala Blasters and SC East Bengal in the opening two fixtures of the season but since then, the side has been struggling to get away with all three points. In their next four fixtures, the Mariners faced a heavy 5-1 loss against Mumbai City FC which was then followed by a 2-1 defeat by Jamshedpur FC.
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The side from Kolkata continued their poor run with two back-to-back draws against Chennaiyin FC and Bengaluru FC after which the former ATK Mohun Bagan expressed his grief by describing the situation as “We lost our identity”
After such a tough time, Habas decided to step down as the club’s manager. ATKMB shortlisted four Spaniards for the role among which Juan Fernando was selected to manage the Green and Maroons.
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Juan Fernando joined the ISL back in 2020 to replace Sergio Lobera at FC Goa. In his first season, the Spaniard did an excellent job by taking the Gaurs into the semi-finals of the ISL and later led his team to their first-ever AFC Champions League campaign.
ATK Mohun Bagan paid the buyout clause in Juan Fernando’s FC Goa contract so that he can now come and manage the Mariners. With his appointment as head coach, ATKMB will now be looking to cause a turnaround and get back to winning ways after a couple of below-average performances.
In his first interview as ATK MB head coach, he said, “ I would like to thank the owner of ATK Mohun Bagan Mr.Sanjiv Goenka for trusting my work. I will give my 100% from day one so all fans can enjoy the best brand of football and hopefully we can celebrate together soon. Over time, I would like we build our own DNA to make out style recognizable and help young Indian players give their best.”
[Featured Image Credit: ATK Mohun Bagan]
Shashank Iyer