Head coaches are known for their tactical acumen and sharp match instincts that play a decisive role in their team's success. With their deep understanding of football strategies, decision-making skills, and leadership attributes, the head coaches hold a multifaceted role with significant impact on the game.

From Spain to England and India to Italy, coaches around the globe have marked their presence in the Indian Super League (ISL) throughout the seasons. From Nicolas Anelka to Robbie Keane and Marco Materazzi to David James, several big names graced the league and enjoyed their tenure in the hot seats of several clubs over the years.

But very few have managed to shape their teams' successes given the competition in the league, showcasing their quality. With that said, let's take a look out the head coaches who averaged the highest win percentage during their tenure in the ISL.

Des Buckingham - 57.45%

Des Buckingham boasts the highest win percentage among all the ISL head coaches with a massive win percentage of 57.45%.

Buckingham led Mumbai City FC to clinch the ISL League Shield, enjoying a fantastic season with the Islanders during the 2022-23 campaign. The English head coach, who established a fluent attacking style of play, also led Mumbai City to their first win in the AFC Champions League in 2022, with the Islanders becoming the first Indian club to achieve this.

Jose Molina - 54.55%

Jose Molina comes second in the list with a healthy win percentage. The Spaniard coached ATK FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant during his two stints in the ISL, having won silverware each time. Molina, who won the ISL Cup with ATK in 2016 and also completed the league double in the 2024-25 season season with the Mariners, experienced an exceptional campaign on his return to India.

Manolo Marquez - 51.72%

Manolo Marquez, another experienced Spaniard, is next on this list. Marquez has won 60 out of 116 matches he has coached, averaging a 51.27% win rate overall. He won the ISL Cup with Hyderabad FC in the 2021-22 season and led FC Goa to qualify for the playoffs in consecutive seasons.

Petr Kratky - 50%

Petr Kratky took charge of Mumbai City FC midway during the 2023-24 season and clinched the ISL Cup with the Islanders in his debut season. It was not an easy task for Kratky to fill the void left by Buckingham, but the Czech-Australian head coach did a commendable job in leading MCFC side to finish second in the points table and reach yet another ISL Cup final. He has won 22 out of 44 games with the Islanders and also helped MCFC qualify for the playoffs during the 2024-25 season despite the team not experiencing one of their best campaigns.

Sergio Lobera - 49.22%

Sergio Lobera is one of the longest-serving head coaches in the ISL and has won 63 of 128 games. Since making his presence felt in the league with FC Goa, the Spaniard has established himself as one of the most efficient coaches in the league during his tenure with Mumbai City FC and Odisha FC. From helping FC Goa become one of the league's fearsome sides to winning the ISL League Shield and Cup with the Islanders in the 2020-21 season to transforming the Kalinga Warriors with his attacking brand of football, Lobera’s impact has truly been felt over the years.

Related tags:

2024-2025