In football, the spotlight often falls on the flashy goal scorers and eye-catching attacking performances, but resilient defensive organisations are the bedrock of a successful campaign.

A clean sheet is more than a statistic. It is a reflection of unity, grit, preparation, and resilience.

Over the years, the Indian Super League (ISL) has witnessed its visionary head coaches managing their teams by embedding defensive discipline into their squads. They were not just feared for their attacking prowess, but revered for their defensive discipline.

With that said, let's delve deep and find out the head coaches with the most clean sheets in league history.

Manolo Marquez - 40 clean sheets

Manolo Marquez, known for his composed demeanour and tactical planning, leads the all-time list with 40 clean sheets. His defensive legacy in the ISL is nothing short of phenomenal during his stints at Hyderabad FC (23) and FC Goa (17).

What set Marquez apart was his ability to balance defensive solidity with offensive fluidity. From winning the ISL Cup with the Nawabs in the 2021-22 season to re-establishing the Gaurs as a regular playoff contender, the Spaniard instilled cohesion and clarity in his squads while maintaining solidity at the back.

Antonio Lopez Habas - 38 clean sheets

Antonio Habas, who won the ISL Cup twice and the League Shield, built his legacy with a defence-first philosophy that proved effective. With 38 clean sheets, his sides, especially ATK FC (18) and Mohun Bagan Super Giant (18), were synonymous with resilience. FC Pune City also registered two clean sheets during the Spaniard's tenure.

Habas's football wasn’t always pretty, but it was pragmatic. One of the ISL's greatest head coaches, his preference for a three-man backline, supported by disciplined wing-backs and holding midfielders, thwarted opponents and delivered results.

Sergio Lobera - 37 clean sheets

Sergio Lobera is best known for his possession-based, fluid, and eye-soothing attacking brand of football. With 37 clean sheets to his name, Lobera proves that flair and structure are not mutually exclusive.

Whether with FC Goa (14), Mumbai City FC (10), Odisha FC (13), Lobera’s teams pressed high and passed with purpose, but they were organised and disciplined when out of possession. His philosophy to transition quickly into a defensive shape and limit clear-cut chances was a crucial aspect of his success.

Carles Cuadrat - 27 clean sheets

Carles Cuadrat comes next on the list with 27 clean sheets to his name with Bengaluru FC (20) and East Bengal FC (7).

Cuadrat’s philosophy hinged on control, where his teams were rarely flustered, even under sustained pressure. With Juanan and Albert Serran, the Spaniard built a solid backline during his time with the Blues, where they won the ISL Cup in the 2018-19 season.

Owen Coyle - 25 clean sheets

Owen Coyle registered 25 clean sheets during his time with Chennaiyin FC (10) and Jamshedpur FC (15).

The Scottish head coach often banked on direct and aggressive strategy in his tactical choices. From the Marina Machans' late playoff entry in 2019-20 and 2023-24 to the Men of Steel's League Shield triumph in 2021-22, Coyle-led teams defended with grit, relying on collective effort rather than individual brilliance.