Jose Antonio Habas leaves Atletico de Kolkata, joins FC Pune City
Spanish manager Jose Antonio Habas has left his post as the manager of Indian Super League (ISL) team Atletico de Kolkata (ATK). He has joined the Pune-based franchise FC Pune City and will coach them for the 2016 edition of the football league as announced in a press conference. The Spaniard joined the club along with his fitness coach at ATK, Miguel Martinez.
Speaking to journalists, Habas said, "I'm very happy to be here. Thank you."
The new FC Pune City manager said, “My philosophy is simple. We have to win. Have a consolidated group, have tactical discipline and be a family"
He added that he would have to inculcate a winning mentality in the players and convince them immediately that they would win.
A controversial coach, he is likely to miss Pune City’s first four league matches as he is suspended for his aggressive behaviour. Habas had been expelled from the semi-finals of last year’s edition against Chennaiyin FC for being involved in an altercation with Robert Pires.
The Spanish manager enjoyed a successful spell with Atletico de Kolkata, winning the inaugural season of the ISL in 2014 and led them to the semi-finals of the tournament in the 2015 edition where they lost to Chennaiyin FC. He has had previously managed clubs like Granada, Valencia and the Bolivian national team before coaching Atletico de Kolkata.
FC Pune’s struggles in the ISL
FC Pune City have struggled so far in the ISL. They came sixth in the inaugural season of the league and regressed further in the second edition where they came seventh. The side will hope that the appointment of Habas could bring around a change in the fortunes of the club given his track record of success in the Indian league.
The Pune based franchise is owned in partnership by Hrithik Roshan, the Wadhawan Group and Italian football club ACF Fiorentina. They were coached by Italian Franco Colomba in 2014 and Englishman David Platt in the 2015 edition. Former Tottenham player Didier Zokora was the captain of the side in 2015 while Adrian Mutu was the marquee signing.