Chennaiyin FC have confirmed that head coach John Gregory has extended his contract with the club for one more year. The announcement was made public on Saturday, which also happens to be the Englishman's 65th birthday.

The extension comes on the back of a string of good performances of late which helped Chennaiyin put a disappointing Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2018-19 campaign, where they finished at the bottom of the table, behind them. Since the torrid Hero ISL 2018-19 ended, Chennaiyin have redeemed themselves in spectacular fashion and reached the final of the Hero Super Cup 2019. They also currently top Group E in the AFC Cup 2019 with seven points from three matches and are favourites to progress to the knockout phases.

Gregory arrived at Chennaiyin at the start of the Hero ISL 2017-18 season and tasted immediate success, guiding the club to their second Hero ISL title. The following season, as stated above, was far more disappointing for the Englishman. With the extension in place, Gregory will have the opportunity to try and recreate the magic from his debut season one more time.

“It truly is a great feeling extending my stay with the Chennaiyin family. My journey so far in India has really given me the whole range of emotions and experience, after the Hero ISL title triumph in the first season followed by the disappointment in the same competition last season. And I feel I have some unfinished business here. The objective is to reward our loyal and unconditional supporters with a memorable AFC Cup journey and the chance to challenge for a third ISL trophy. We will all fight together and certainly come back stronger than ever before to achieve these goals,” the Englishman told the official Chennaiyin FC website after signing the paperwork on his 65th birthday.

Chennaiyin co-owner Mrs. Vita Dani, too, was delighted with the development. “John continuing to lead us is fantastic news for everyone associated with Chennaiyin FC. Despite a difficult Hero ISL campaign, the team has displayed incredible resolve to turn things around in the Hero Super Cup and now the AFC Cup under John’s tutelage. His professional attitude and commitment to the Chennaiyin cause is exemplary. We look forward to a memorable AFC Cup run before fighting it out for a coveted third Hero ISL trophy next season,” she was quoted as saying.

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Chennaiyin FC John Gregory 2018-2019