A good coach is one who sees in you what you can’t see in yourself. As Hero ISL 2016 inches closer, coaches from all eight teams will be looking to carry out that part of their job to perfection. Defending the title will be the Italian genius Marco Materazzi who will leave no stone unturned in leading the Super Machans to their second successive trophy. Renewing the rivalry with Materazzi is Zico whose FC Goa lost to Chennaiyin FC in the final last year. Elsewhere, FC Pune City’s wily Spaniard Antonio Habas, previously very successful with Atlético de Kolkata, has the experience required to deliver the goods. Also are in the fray quite a few new faces vying for the prestigious trophy this year: Kerala Blasters FC’s Steve Coppell, Mumbai City FC’s Alexandre Guimarães, Atlético de Kolkata’s José Molina, NorthEast United FC’s Nelo Vingada and Delhi Dynamos FC’s Gianluca Zambrotta. Here indiansuperleague.com takes a look at what these head coaches has to offer for their respective teams.

Marco Materazzi (Chennaiyin FC)

Definitive pragmatism is what Marco Materazzi believes in, and Chennaiyin FC have greatly benefited from this in the past two seasons. At the beginning, the Italian’s style of play was considered to be less free-flowing and more physical. But his stout belief on winning games rather than focusing on attractive football played a pivotal role in bringing success to the Super Machans in 2015. His inspiring presence in the dressing room rubbed off on his players as they came back from a three-game losing streak to win five games on the trot in the latter stages of their winning campaign last season. His words define him best: “My philosophy is simple – to win. I hate losing.”

Zico (FC Goa)

After scripting the taming of English heavyweights Chelsea with an unfancied Fenerbahçe side in 2008, Brazilian Zico has continued operating his colourful and vibrant playing style with FC Goa since the inception of the Hero ISL in 2014. The Brazilian legend is not one to mince his words, which was evident when he mentioned that Chennaiyin FC ‘’practically destroyed’’ his team, after a 4-0 loss last season at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. This undisguised personality, along with a prolific attacking mentality, definitely has the wherewithal to take the Goans all the way this season.

Antonio Habas (FC Pune City)

FC Pune City’s new head coach Antonio Habas has a wealth of Hero ISL experience. After leading Atlético de Kolkata to triumph in 2014, the wily Spaniard brought in the attacking gem Iain Hume from Kerala Blasters FC in 2015 and helped him reach greater heights as the Kolkatan team made its second successive semis. Focusing more on bringing a balanced and direct playing style to the team, his creative forces lie on the flanks. His reunion with tricky winger Arata Izumi is another thing that gives a lot of hope to the Stallions.

Gianluca Zambrotta (Delhi Dynamos FC)

Making his debut this season in the Hero ISL is Italian Gianluca Zambrotta. A former World Cup-winning legend alongside Materazzi, the Delhi Dynamos FC head coach is fairly new to the world managerial circuit. However, he has already hinted at emulating Chelsea coach Antonio Conte’s philosophy on his induction to the Lions recently. His experience in defending will surely stand Delhi in good stead and can further the development of the likes of Anas Edathodika and David Addy.

Steve Coppell (Kerala Blasters FC)

Throwing his name in the ring is another footballing legend by the name of Steve Coppell who will be guiding Kerala Blasters FC this season. Having led English clubs like Crystal Palace and Reading to their greatest success in the top flight, the former Manchester United winger will be expected to anchor a turnaround in the Yellow Army’s fortunes who finished at the bottom of the table last season. The Englishman mainly employs width and flexibility in his tactics but also demands a hard-working mentality from his men. He believes that “it’s pointless having one philosophy because wherever you go, you might not have the players capable of fulfilling that philosophy”. Kerala Blasters FC’s fans can hope some really good work from him this season.

Nelo Vingada (NorthEast United FC)

After missing out on the semis by a whisker last season, NorthEast United FC will be aiming to take it up a notch under the tutelage of Nelo Vingada, also known as “the Professor”. Having managed the Iranian national team in the past, the Portuguese gaffer is known for his all-out attacking philosophy. Vingada holds the record for having the highest winning percentage (71%) in the K-League, where he recorded history for his team FC Seoul by guiding them to their first title in 10 years in 2010. With this knowledge, the Highlanders can expect their soaring ambitions to see the light of day.

Alexandre Guimarães (Mumbai City FC)

He may be setting foot on the Indian footballing scenario for the first time but Mumbai City FC’s new head coach Alexandre Guimarães wouldn’t want to waste time dwelling on that. As his words suggest the Costa Rican gaffer knows that a good atmosphere is very important to achieve the goals that the club has. With the presence of major stalwarts like Sunil Chhetri, Diego Forlan and Matías Defederico, Guimarães knows that he has a good solid bunch at his disposal to play a good passing game but also acknowledges that it “depends on what the game requires from your team”. Having led the Costa Rican national side past the qualifying stages of the 2002 World Cup, Guimarães will be aiming for something similar with Mumbai City FC.

José Francisco Molina (Atlético de Kolkata)

Winners in the first season and semi-finalists in the second, Atlético de Kolkata will have their eyes set on further glory in the third Hero ISL season under the watchful guidance of José Francisco Molina. After heading Villarreal FC in La Liga, Molina would want to bring his A-game to the Kolkatan club, mostly steeped in attractive possession-based football.

With such high-profile names pulling the strings this season, India’s football fans can certainly expect fireworks on the field this season.