In football, certain head coaches transcend mere team management, becoming legendary figures who leave a lasting impact. Two prime examples from the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season are Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s Antonio Habas and Petr Kratky of Mumbai City FC. Both took charge of their respective clubs midway through the season and achieved silverware.

Mohun Bagan SG and Mumbai City FC clashed in the League Shield decider, with the Mariners clinching their first-ever title. The two sides met again in the ISL final, where Mumbai City FC emerged victorious, claiming their second ISL Cup.

Beyond imprinting their philosophies and executing tactics, these coaches have also nurtured the careers of Indian players. But mainly, their ability to secure crucial wins has been pivotal to their teams' success this season.

With this in mind, let's delve into the head coaches who achieved the highest win percentages in the ISL 2023-24 season.

1) Antonio Lopez Habas (Mohun Bagan) - 71.42%

Record:14 matches, 10 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses

Antonio Habas has left an indelible mark on Mohun Bagan SG during his second stint with the club. Returning in June 2023 as the Technical Director following Juan Ferrando's dismissal, Habas's reappointment sparked a resurgence. Under his guidance, the team achieved 10 victories, two draws, and suffered only two losses in 14 matches, resulting in an impressive win percentage of 71.42%. This successful run culminated in Mohun Bagan SG winning the ISL 2023-24 Shield and reaching the finals, where they were defeated by Mumbai City FC.

Habas's expertise in defensive stability and tactical discipline became pivotal to their success. His adeptness at adapting and implementing effective game plans swiftly turned the team's fortunes around, establishing them as a formidable presence in the league. Mohun Bagan SG finished the season as the highest-scoring team while also boasting one of the stingiest defences in the league.

2) Petr Kratky (Mumbai City FC) - 68.42%

Record: 19 games, 13 wins, 3 draws, 3 defeats

Petr Kratky took charge of Mumbai City FC in December 2023 following the departure of Des Buckingham. His debut ISL match ended in a goalless draw against FC Goa, but he swiftly showcased his tactical acumen with a 2-1 victory over Mohun Bagan SG, despite the match being marked by disciplinary issues.

Kratky's tenure has been defined by his ability to maximise his squad's potential amidst mid-season challenges, including injuries to key players. Under his leadership, Mumbai City FC achieved 13 wins, three draws, and three losses in 19 games, maintaining an impressive win percentage of 68.42%.

Furthermore, Mumbai City FC clinched the ISL 2023-24 Cup under his guidance, defeating Mohun Bagan SG 3-1 in the finals, securing their second ISL Cup title. His tactical acumen and capability to instill a winning mindset within a short period played a crucial role in the team's triumphant campaign.

3) Manolo Marquez ( FCGoa) - 56%

Record: 25 games, 14 wins, 6 draws, 5 defeats

Manolo Márquez arrived on Goan shores with high expectations following his successful tenure at Hyderabad FC. Márquez previously led Hyderabad to their first ISL Cup title in the 2021-22 season before joining FC Goa after a three-season stint with his former club. In his debut season with FC Goa, he achieved 14 wins, six draws, and five losses out of 25 matches, resulting in an impressive win percentage of 56%. His leadership guided the team back to the playoffs after a two-season absence.

Márquez's ability to create a cohesive and attacking-minded team was pivotal to FC Goa's journey to the semi-finals. They were one of the tough teams to beat in the league and performed well at both ends of the pitch, evidenced by their goals scored and conceded tally, a statistic only bettered by Mohun Bagan SG and Mumbai City FC.

4) Sergio Lobera (Odisha FC) - 52%

Record: 25 games, 13 wins, 6 draws, 6 losses

Sergio Lobera made his return to the ISL as the head coach of Odisha FC during the summer, having previously clinched two League Shields and one ISL Cup in his earlier stints in Indian football.

Bringing with him extensive experience and tactical expertise from his successful tenure with Mumbai City FC, where he achieved an unprecedented double, Lobera revitalised Odisha FC. In the 2023-24 season, he guided the team to 13 wins, six draws, and six losses in 25 games, resulting in a commendable win percentage of 52%. These achievements marked Odisha FC's historic first appearance in the ISL semi-finals.

Lobera's emphasis on attacking football and guiding his team to an unbeaten home record were instrumental in Odisha FC's journey to the playoffs this season.

5) Ivan Vukomanovic (Kerala Blasters FC) - 38.88%

Record: 18 games, 7 wins, 2 draws, 9 losses

Ivan Vukomanovi guided Kerala Blasters FC to their third consecutive playoff appearance in the 2023-24 season. Appointed as head coach in June 2021, Vukomanovic has overseen the club's historic achievement of reaching the playoffs in three consecutive seasons for the first time.

In the 2023-24 season, he steered the team to seven wins while facing two draws and nine losses out of 18 games, resulting in a win percentage of 38.88%. Despite missing a few games earlier in the season due to a ban, his leadership enabled KBFC to reach the ISL knockout stages by finishing fifth in the table.

Throughout his tenure with the Blasters, Vukomanovic has faced various challenges with the Blasters but has achieved significant milestones, including a 10-match unbeaten streak and securing a positive goal difference for the first time in the club's history during the 2021-22 season.

Vukomanovic's capacity to inspire and effectively manage the team through adversity made this season particularly memorable for Blasters FC. Despite grappling with numerous key player injuries, the team placed their trust in several youngsters and still achieved commendable results.