Bengaluru FC assistant coach Renedy Singh, a key figure in the Blues dugout, is confident the team will return stronger and more focused in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season.

The ISL 2024-25 campaign saw Bengaluru FC put up a spirited display under head coach Gerard Zaragoza. Having finished 10th in the standings the previous season, they climbed to fourth this time around and were among the most formidable teams in the league. They secured a dominant win over Mumbai City FC in a one-legged knockout clash and then beat FC Goa, who had finished second in the league stage, in the semi-final. However, their dream run ended in heartbreak as they were edged out by Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the summit clash.

Still, Singh believes the loss has only made the team more determined.

“We reached the final this season but fell short. Our aim now is to win the ISL Cup. That’s the target, and we’re already working towards it,” he said in an interview with The Assam Tribune.

Central to Bengaluru FC’s run to the final was their talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri. At 40, Chhetri continues to defy age and expectations with his fitness, leadership and knack for scoring important goals. The veteran striker found the back of the net 14 times in the recently concluded season, finishing as the joint second-highest scorer in the league and the top Indian goalscorer. It was a remarkable feat for any forward, let alone someone in the twilight of their career.

Singh highlighted Chhetri’s importance for both club and country, with the Indian national team set to resume their AFC Asian Cup Qualifying campaign on Tuesday against Hong Kong.

“Sunil is still scoring goals at 40. He netted 14 times in the ISL this season — not many Indian players are doing that,” the former India midfielder stated.

“Even if he can’t play the full 90 minutes, those 30–40 minutes he plays can still be decisive.”

Beyond Bengaluru FC, he also put the spotlight on another important figure in Indian football: Khalid Jamil, currently the only Indian head coach in the ISL. Jamil enjoyed an impressive 2024-25 campaign with the Men of Steel, helping Jamshedpur FC reach the ISL semi-finals where they qualified for the playoffs after two seasons. Jamshedpur FC also finished as runners-up in the Kalinga Super Cup.

“Khalid has done a commendable job — from Mumbai FC to leading Aizawl FC to an I-League title, helping NorthEast United FC grow, and now with Jamshedpur FC,” Singh stated.

“His journey is inspiring and will surely motivate more Indian coaches to dream big,” he added.