Top five foreign coaches in the I-League era

Brazilian Marcos Falopa has become the latest foreign coach to be appointed by an I-League club. However the 64-year-old new East Bengal coach will be well aware that foreign tacticians, historically, haven’t had their way in Indian club football.

Only twice out of 17 top flight seasons has a foreigner gone on to win the Indian title. Sportskeeda lists the top five foreign coaches in the I-League era.

Note: Timeline only covering I-League era since 2007

5. Carlos Roberto Pereira (Mohun Bagan 2007-08; Churchill Brothers 2009-10; 2012)

After being in charge of East Bengal in the final edition of the formerly NFL (National Football League) in 2006-07, the Brazilian became head coach of Mohun Bagan in the inaugural campaign of the newly-launched I-League. Pereira won the Calcutta Football League title with the green-and-maroon brigade, thus being the only foreign coach to win that trophy with the two arch-rivals. However there was disappointment in the Federation Cup as holders Mohun Bagan were beaten by East Bengal in the semi-finals.

Pereira though, did the double over his former club East Bengal in the I-League where Mohun Bagan finished fifth but 11 points ahead of their bitter rivals. He left Mohun Bagan after just one season and his next I-League job came in 2009 when he was appointed by league champions Churchill Brothers. Pereira failed to retain the I-League crown, finishing runners-up, but won the Durand Cup and IFA Shield and took the Goan club to the round of 16 of the AFC Cup. He left Churchill Brothers too after just one season but returned as their interim coach in the middle of the 2011-12 campaign, guiding the Goan outfit to third place finish, which eventually earned them AFC Cup qualification.