The Indian Super League (ISL) community was met with sad news on Tuesday as Jorge Costa, former Mumbai City FC head coach, passed away at the age of 53. A former Portugal international and UEFA Champions League winner with FC Porto, Costa brought with him a wealth of experience when he arrived in India in 2018.

His tenure at Mumbai City FC may have lasted only two seasons, but the impact he left on the club was significant. Known for his pragmatic and structured approach to football, Costa instilled discipline and belief in a squad that was struggling for consistency before his arrival. Under his guidance, the Islanders became a difficult side to break down and began competing at the top end of the league once again.

As we remember the legacy he left behind, here’s a look at some of Costa’s best moments as head coach of Mumbai City FC.

1) Taking Mumbai City FC to their first ISL playoffs since 2016

Jorge Costa’s first season in charge saw Mumbai City FC return to the ISL playoffs for the first time since 2016. It was a significant milestone for the club, especially considering how the season began.

MCFC picked up just four points from their first four matches, including a heavy 5-0 defeat to FC Goa, which was one of the worst losses in the club’s history at the time. Many had written them off, but Costa remained calm. He stuck to his plan, gradually building confidence within the squad.

What followed was a remarkable turnaround. The Islanders went on a nine-match unbeaten run, the longest in the club’s history at the time. With a compact setup and counter-attacking approach, they finished third in the league stage with nine wins, the second-most that season.

Costa’s side also boasted one of the tightest defences, conceding just 20 goals, which was the joint second-best record in the league.

2) Securing Mumbai City FC’s biggest-ever home win

One of the most memorable nights at the Mumbai Football Arena came under Jorge Costa’s watch during the 2018-19 season when Mumbai City FC dismantled Kerala Blasters FC with a stunning 6-1 victory.

On a night when everything clicked, Modou Sougou scored four goals, etching his name in ISL folklore as the first player to score four goals in a single game. Rafael Bastos and Matias Mirabaje added to the tally as the Islanders ran riot.

This match wasn’t just a record-setting win but it was a showcase of Costa’s ability to let his side flourish in transition. It remains the Islanders’ biggest home win in ISL history and one that their fans fondly remember to this date.

3) Helping MCFC become the first team to do a league double over Bengaluru FC

In the 2019-20 season, Costa’s side etched another milestone by becoming the first team to complete a league double over Bengaluru FC, a team that had been one of the most dominant forces in the ISL since their entry.

The most iconic of these two wins came away at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, where Mumbai City FC stunned the ISL 2018-19 Cup champions with a dramatic 3-2 win. Twice the Islanders took the lead, only to be pegged back each time by Bengaluru FC. But in the 94th minute, Rowllin Borges scored a dramatic winner that silenced the home crowd.

The match ended BFC’s 19-game unbeaten run at home and marked the first time they had conceded a goal at the Kanteerava that season.

Over the course of two seasons, Mumbai City FC never lost to Bengaluru FC under Costa’s leadership. That 2019-20 campaign also saw a remarkable stat as 13 different players scored for the Islanders.

Just like his first season, the second campaign under Costa had a familiar pattern. Mumbai City FC once again had a slow start with four points from their first four games, but bounced back with 12 points from the next six, placing them back in playoff contention.

However, injuries to key players derailed the team’s momentum during the final stretch. The Islanders missed out on the top four by the slimmest of margins, losing out to Chennaiyin FC on the final Matchweek of the league stage. But Costa proved that Mumbai City FC could go toe to toe with the very best.

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