On Monday, Mumbai City FC announced the appointment of former FC Goa head coach Sergio Lobera as new Head Coach of the team ahead of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2020/21 season.
The Spaniard has a wealth of coaching experience in leagues around the world in a career spanning almost 25 years. Lobera has managed clubs in Spain, Morocco and in India and also had a spell as assistant manager of FC Barcelona in 2012. Lobera was most recently Head Coach at FC Goa, winning the Super Cup in 2019 to much acclaim.
A new era begins.#WelcomeSergio ? pic.twitter.com/XTrQOxciIw
— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) October 12, 2020
Bimal Parekh, co-owner of Mumbai City FC, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Sergio to Mumbai. He is a 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.”
Commenting on his appointment, Sergio Lobera said, “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,” he added.
Sergio’s coaching team will also include new additions, assistant coach Jesús Tato and fitness and conditioning coach, Manuel Sayabera. Both join Sergio from FC Goa. Goalkeeping coach, Juan Maria Cruz Arias, also joins the coaching staff after having worked previously with Sergio at Moroccan club Moghreb Tétouan.
City Football Group introduced Sergio to the management of Mumbai City FC and is currently providing advisory services to the Club. CFG has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority investment in Mumbai City FC. The purchase is awaiting final approvals.
