Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky acknowledged that his prior experience working with the team would be pivotal in achieving positive outcomes again in the upcoming season.

The Czech-Australian head coach took charge of the Islanders in the mid-2023–24 season, succeeding Des Buckingham. The English head coach had experienced a stellar tenure with the team, where his side displayed courageous performances in the AFC Champions League and won the ISL League Shield in an unprecedented manner in the 2022-23 season. Buckingham was hugely successful in bringing out the best in his players and laying the foundation for the future.

For Kratky, who was stepping into his first role as a senior team head coach with the Islanders, it was not an easy task to fill the void left by Buckingham. However, the 42-year-old quickly adapted to the new surroundings and continued to build on what the Englishman had established.

Since taking charge, Kratky has maintained an aggressive, attacking brand of football and instilled an indomitable fighting spirit within the squad. Despite missing the League Shield by the finest margin, the Islanders clinched the ISL Cup for the second time in the club's history under the guidance of the newly appointed head coach.

Kratky aims to put past successes behind him and focus on a new beginning for the upcoming season.

“Last season has gone; now we've got to refocus for the new season,” Kratky said in a recent interview with the Mumbai City FC media team.

“So, I just have to stay focused on where my goal is—not just to put the team together, but having a look and knowing them more, having a look at what they’re capable of, and working with them,” he added.

The Islanders are in Thailand for intensive pre-season training, while their reserve team competes in the ongoing Durand Cup. The head coach is buzzing with excitement ahead of the upcoming season, as he aims to thoroughly evaluate his players before the league begins.

“Excited! You know, a new season is ahead. Looking forward to the pre-season, looking forward to the start, and looking forward to seeing what the players are capable of,” Kratky commented.

Kratky urged his players to give their best efforts to ensure another successful season. He also believes that his prior experience with the team will be instrumental in achieving greater goals this season.

“It's more of an advantage for me, so I have a little bit more time to work with them, get to know them more, and put everything together how we want to play and achieve the goal,” he remarked.

“So, yes, it’s always an advantage when you work with the team a little bit longer, so you know them a little bit more deeply on a personal level as well. So, yes, I think it’s just better when you stay with the team for longer,” he continued.

Kratky has his eyes set on replicating their recent performances in the forthcoming season. Speaking in context, he said, “We are here to do the job. Last season was a very good outcome, but it’s gone. Now we have to refocus, deliver it to the fans again, and do it together.”

“So I can’t wait to see the fans in the stadium and see them roar for us and for the players, and again, I’ll meet them in person in Mumbai,” he urged.

Kratky aims to regroup his squad and stay focused on their ultimate objective. He anticipates more challenges and hardships in the upcoming season but remains committed to being patient and taking each game one at a time.

“Look, it’s a new season with new challenges. It will not be so easy. So we have to be aware of that, but go game by game,” he stated.

“Again, we have new players and new staff, so we have to make sure everything is in line, work hard towards the first game of the season, and kick off in a good way. So what happened, happened. Now we have to move on and just stay focused for the new season and deliver again,” the head coach signed off.

Watch the full interview here: