In football, a player's understanding of a coach's philosophy can be the difference between a good season and a great one. While transfers are often about fresh starts, some players find themselves returning to familiar voices on the sidelines; the ones they trust, respect and thrive under.

The Indian Super League (ISL) has seen its share of such bonds, with players following coaches across multiple clubs, forming core spines and influencing playing styles.

Here’s a look at five such enduring partnerships that have travelled across the ISL and remain standout examples of how football is as much about relationships as it is about results.

1) Ahmed Jahouh and Sergio Lobera

Clubs together: FC Goa (51 games),Odisha FC (38), Mumbai City FC(20)

Total under Lobera: 109 appearances

Few partnerships in ISL history are as iconic as Ahmed Jahouh and Sergio Lobera. The Moroccan midfield general has been the heartbeat of Lobera’s possession-based system wherever the Spanish head coach has gone.

Their story began at FC Goa, where Jahouh instantly became one of the most dominant deep-lying playmakers in the league. In 51 appearances for the Gaurs under Lobera, Jahouh dictated tempo, launched attacks and shielded the backline with remarkable consistency. Under Lobera, he not only helped the Gaurs qualify for the playoffs for three straight seasons but also won the Shield in 2019-20.

The duo then reunited at Mumbai City FC, where Jahouh would go on to clinch the Shield and Cup in 2020-21. When Lobera returned to the ISL with Odisha FC, it was no surprise that Jahouh followed, logging another 38 appearances in purple. Jahouh was influential in their playoff qualification during the 2023-24 season, where Odisha FC finished fourth.

Whether in Goa, Mumbai or Odisha, the pattern has remained the same: Jahouh pulling the strings from midfield and Lobera trusting him to be the fulcrum of his side.

2) Mourtada Fall and Sergio Lobera

Clubs together: Odisha FC(41), FC Goa (35), Mumbai City FC (22)

Total under Lobera: 98 appearances

Commanding in the air and calm with the ball at his feet, Mourtada Fall has been Sergio Lobera’s go-to centre-back for years. The Senegalese defender, known for his leadership and set-piece threat, has followed Lobera to three different ISL clubs.

At FC Goa, Fall helped build a strong defensive core while contributing crucial goals, a rare trait for a central defender. His aerial prowess and composure were critical during FC Goa’s run to the 2019-20 League Shield.

When Lobera switched to Mumbai City FC, Fall once again became the bedrock of the defence, playing 22 times en route to their historic double.

At Odisha FC, Fall made 41 appearances under Lobera, continuing to marshal the backline with authority and experience while playing a key role in their playoff qualification in 2023-24.

A leader at the back, a threat up front and a familiar face in every Lobera lineup, Fall is the centre-back who always seems to wear the same coach’s colours.

3) Arindam Bhattacharja and Antonio Habas

Clubs together: Mohun Bagan Super Giant(23), ATK FC (20), FC Pune City (1)

Total under Antonio Habas: 44 appearances

While most duos on this list stem from Lobera’s coaching tree, Arindam Bhattacharja and Antonio Habas share a bond rooted in resilience and big-match experience.

The veteran goalkeeper and the seasoned Spanish tactician first joined forces at FC Pune City, where Arindam made a solitary appearance.

Their partnership truly flourished at ATK FC, where Arindam played 20 matches under Habas, becoming a crucial cog in the team’s ISL Cup-winning campaign in 2019-20. His safe hands and vocal presence made him a fan favourite and a leader in the dressing room.

At Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the duo continued their alliance, with Arindam clocking another 23 games in goal during the 2020-21 season. The Mariners finished second in the league and finished runners-up in the ISL Cup that season but Arindam won the Golden Glove award, having kept 10 clean sheets. Even as the club navigated transitions and new expectations, Habas’ trust in Arindam’s experience remained unshaken.

4) Hugo Boumous and Sergio Lobera

Clubs together: FC Goa (38), Odisha FC (21), Mumbai City FC (16)

Total under Lobera: 75 appearances

Elegant, explosive and endlessly creative, Hugo Boumous has been a key attacking weapon in Sergio Lobera’s arsenal. Whether as a No. 10 or a free-roaming playmaker, the French-Moroccan star has flourished under Lobera’s guidance.

Their partnership kicked off at FC Goa, where Boumous lit up the league with 38 games full of assists, goals and dazzling footwork. He was a standout performer in the 2019-20 Shield-winning campaign, earning plaudits for his vision and flair while winning the Golden Ball.

Boumous continued his spell under Lobera at Mumbai City FC, being part of a star-studded side that did the double.

Even in a star-studded squad, Boumous stood out with his impact as he scored three goals and provided a team-high seven assists for MCFC.

After a brief stint away, Boumous reunited with Lobera at Odisha FC, featuring 21 times in the 2024-25 campaign and finishing as the team’s top assist provider with seven assists while scoring five goals.

Few players have made as much attacking impact under one coach across clubs as Boumous has with Lobera.

5) Amey Ranawade and Sergio Lobera

Clubs together: Odisha FC (46), Mumbai City FC(20), FC Goa(1)

Total under Lobera: 67 appearances

For Amey Ranawade, the journey with Sergio Lobera has been one of trust, growth and opportunity. From being a promising full-back to a first-team regular, Ranawade’s rise has mirrored Lobera’s belief in developing Indian talent.

Their first association came at FC Goa, where the defender made just a single appearance during the 2019-20 season, where they lifted the Shield. But it was at Mumbai City FC that Amey truly came into his own, playing 20 times under Lobera in the triumphant 2020-21 season.

The trust continued at Odisha FC, where he became a mainstay, clocking 46 games and showcasing his defensive reliability and attacking overlaps. Ranwawade enjoyed one of his best seasons when Odisha FC qualified for the playoffs in 2023-24, contributing a goal and six assists while keeping eight clean sheets. Under Lobera, Amey matured tactically, improved his positioning and carved a niche as one of the league’s more consistent full-backs.