Kibu Vicuna recently led Mohun Bagan to their second I-League title. The Mariners enjoyed a spectacular season under the Spaniard, losing just one game - against Churchill Brothers at home. He joins a long list of managers to have led their side to silverware in their first season in India. We take a look.
#1 Kibu Vicuna (Mohun Bagan 2019-20) The Spanish gaffer halted Mohun Bagan's five-year-long wait for an I-League title. The 48-year-old mathematically secured the title just before the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic suspended the remaining fixtures until further notice.
#2 Akbar Nawas (Chennai City FC 2018-19) Singaporean manager Akbar Nawas led Chennai CIty to a historic first I-League title last season. The 44-year-old took charge of the Southern club in the third year of his managerial career and edged East Bengal to the title by one point.
#3 Khogen Singh (Minerva Punjab 2017-18) Former Indian footballer Khogen Singh scriped his name in the history books when he led Minerva Punjab (Now Punjab FC) to their first I-League title in only their second season in the top flight.
#4 John Gregory (Chennaiyin 2017-18) English manager John Gregory powered Chennaiyin to their second ISL trophy in the 2017-18 season, shocking favourites Bengaluru at home in the final. The 64-year-old has coached clubs such as Aston Villa, Derby County and so on. But Chennaiyin was his first Indian club and he won the title in his first season at the club.
#5 Jose Francisco Molina (ATK 2016) Former Villarreal youth coach Jose Francisco Molina tasted success in 2016 after he was named ATK's head coach after the departure of Antonio Habas. He impressed in his first season, leading ATK to their second ISL title in three years.
#6 Antonio Lopez Habas (ATK 2014) Just under a week ago, Spanish gaffer Antonio Habas became the first manager to win two ISL titles, let alone with the same club. He powered the giants to the title in the inaugural season in 2014, defeating Kerala Blasters in the final. This was also his first season with an Indian club.
#7 Ashley Westwood (Bengaluru FC 2013-14) Each Bengaluru manager has won silverware in his first season at the club. However, only Ashley Westwood has managed to lead them to a league title in his first season, a feat none of the others have managed. Ashley Westwood was the manager who started it all, leading the I-League debutants to the title in the 2013-14 season. He could not defend the title against Mohun Bagan but reclaimed it in the 2015-16 season. In that three-year period, he was one of the finest in India.
#8 Zoran Djordjevic (Churchill Brothers 2008-09) The vastly experienced Serbian manager took charge of Churchill Brothers in the 2008-09 season and led them to their first ever I-League title, becoming the first foreign coach to win the league title in India. He was also named the coach of the year by the AIFF that year.