As the new Indian Super League (ISL) season begins, Hyderabad FC will be raring to go again. The team embarked on a new chapter last season following the departure of former head coach Manolo Marquez, with Thangboi Singto taking over the reins. Despite bringing in new signings and a revamped coaching staff, Hyderabad FC struggled to get going.

Throughout the season, the team faced additional setbacks with player departures, forcing Singto to rely heavily on younger players. While these young talents delivered valiant and promising performances, results remained elusive, and the team ended up at the bottom of the table, securing only one win.

Now, as Singto begins his second season with Hyderabad FC, the Telangana-based club is eager to turn the page. Although they have once again lost some key players, their past resilience and ability to perform under challenging conditions offer hope for a positive showing this season.

Season	Outcome
ISL 2019-20	10th position (Bottom of the table)
ISL 2020-21	5th position (Narrowly missed out on the semi-final)
ISL 2021-22	2nd position (Finished as ISL Cup winners)
ISL 2022-23	2nd position (Lost in the semi-final on penalties)
ISL 2023-24	12th position (Bottom of the table)

Team composition and transfer dealings 

Hyderabad FC have permanently parted ways with several key Indian players from last season, with some having moved on loan during the winter transfer window. As the team navigates this transition phase, it remains to be seen how Thangboi Singto's side will adjust and whether the younger players will rise to the occasion and deliver the results needed.

Transfers OUT

Laxmikant Kattimani, Makan Chothe, Sahil Tavora, Sajad Parray, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy, Jeremy Zohminghlua, Mohammad Yasir. 

Key players 

Abdul Rabeeh

The Kerala-born player emerged as one of the team's standout performers amid a tough campaign that saw them finish at the bottom of the table. While he didn’t score himself, the youngster was crucial for their attack. 

He worked tirelessly on the flank, consistently delivering valuable service to his teammates and while fulfilling his defensive duties. Despite the team struggling to pick up results, Hyderabad FC created enough chances to win games last season and Rabeeh played a crucial role in that aspect. He created the most chances for Thangboi Singto’s side last season and also racked up an assist. 

Alex Saji

While Rabeeh was instrumental in Hyderabad FC's attack last season, his teammate Saji emerged as a vital part of their defence. The Kerala-born defender initially faced challenges in securing a regular spot in the starting eleven, but he quickly established himself as a crucial player as the season progressed.

Saji made his debut league start for Hyderabad FC in January against FC Goa and has been a mainstay in the lineup ever since, missing only one match due to suspension. Although he didn’t contribute to any clean sheets, his defensive presence was pivotal, and he evolved into a leading figure in the team’s backline.

Head coach

Singto struggled to pick up results with Hyderabad FC last season, but did a tremendous job with the Indian players that he worked with and got the best out of them. Some of them made their ISL debuts last season and smoothly transitioned into the league. 

They struggled to score goals last season, scoring the lowest in the league but there were plenty of positives. They were a side that regularly created chances and showed good passing and combination play. They created 186 chances overall, more than bottom placed NorthEast United FC and were among the top five teams in the league with the most successful passes. 

An experienced coach with a rich track record in the ISL, Singto showed that he can also get his team playing an attractive style of football. 

Fixtures

Hyderabad FC will kick off their campaign with an away match against Bengaluru FC. They face a challenging start to the season, as four of their first five fixtures are on the road, with a home game against Chennaiyin FC in between. 

To wrap up the year, Hyderabad FC will host East Bengal FC at home.

To see their full fixtures, click here.