Analysing why FC Goa's Zico was the best coach this past Indian Super League season
It is safe to say that 62-year-old Arthur Antunes Coimbra, also known as Zico, is a pioneer of modern football and is no stranger to individual honours. The attacking midfielder tormented defenders during his successful playing days back in the day, getting not just praise but plenty of coveted honours such as the World Player of the Year award.
Zico, often dearly referred to as the ‘White Pele’, played for just 3 clubs throughout his long and illustrious career spanning 25 years, scoring 192 goals in the process.
After hanging up his boots, Zico opted for a life on the sidelines, initially taking charge at Japanese club, Kashima Antlers in 1999. However, the Brazilian Legend has never really managed to reach the same heights as he did as a player.
Taking charge at his 10th team, Zico made way to the subcontinent in September 2014 assuming the role of the head coach of FC Goa in the inaugural season of Hero Indian Super League, and there has been no looking back since.
One of the most respected figures in the Hero Indian Super League, Zico, who fell agonisingly short of winning the league with FC Goa, has arguably been the best coach of the Hero Indian Super League 2015.
FC Goa was the most consistent of all the 8 teams to emerge from the league stages, finishing on top of the pile with 25 points from 14 matches, losing just 3.
After guiding the Goan franchise to their second consecutive semi-final, Zico’s men comfortably saw off Delhi Dynamos 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-final, going through to the grand finale to be held at their own backyard in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.
Top scorers of the league with 29 goals, FC Goa had a shaky start to their campaign, managing just 4 points from their first 3 games but soon got into a good run of form. Zico had to deal with an injury blow to striker Darryl Duffy, who was successfully replaced by Nigerian, Dudu who scored 4 goals for them.
The Brazilian’s attacking ideology and patient style of play was perfectly portrayed in FC Goa’s 7-0 annihilation of Mumbai City and 5-1 thrashing of Kerala Blasters in November. Just like the innovative attacking midfielder he was, Zico’s team displayed tremendous attacking vigour throughout those matches and the season in general.
He predominantly played an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation and also dabbled with the 3-5-2 system on the odd occasion. Zico, who favours wingplay in his team, is also credited for tapping the raw talent he saw in young Indian players such as Romeo Fernandes, Mandar Dessai and Narayan Das.
Zico’s Brazilian contingent at FC Goa, to whom he owes a decent chunk of his success, have also shone through with standout performances.
Leo Moura, one of FC Goa’s best players of the season, ran the show from midfield, striker Reinaldo impressed with 7 goals, while defensive midfielder Jonatan Lucca showed why he is so highly rated, breaking up play and popping up to score goals at regular intervals.
Gregory Arnolin and Lucio, both of whom were brought in by Zico, were entrusted with defensive duties and both of them did very well, proving to be solid pillars at the back for the Gaurs, helping them keep it tight defensively.
While managers Antonio Habas and Marco Materrazzi have both done commendable jobs at their respective clubs in Atletico de Kolkata and Chennayin FC, it is Zico’s consistency with FC Goa that helps him beat them to the title of the best coach of the Hero Indian Super League 2015.
He brought to the spotlight talented Indian players such as Romeo Fernandes, while at the same time cleverly employing his foreign players to create a perfectly balanced squad to aid FC Goa’s cause.
His management style suited his players very well, with everyone buying into the philosophy followed by the team and doing their best to pull the team in the right direction. The team’s cohesive brand of football was what Zico had envisioned, and he trained his players to get there in the right manner.
The Brazilian’s ability to help the players underperforming on his team aided their progression in the Indian Super League, with both Mandar and Romeo players who have received great support and guidance from him.
Though his team fell short at the final hurdle, for creating the most consistent team in the league, who play a refreshing brand of football, Zico is, in our opinion, the Best Coach of the Indian Super League.