FC Pune City have roped in the services of former Delhi Dynamos FC head coach Miguel Angel Portugal for the upcoming season of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). The Spaniard takes over the reins after previously managing Spanish club Granada CF earlier this year.

The 62-year-old will manage the Stallions on the back of a one-year stint with the Dynamos. Although the Dynamos finished in eighth place in the 2017-18 campaign, Portugal employed a largely attacking brand of football. Under his stewardship, Delhi racked up 27 goals in 18 games. After a disappointing start to the season, Portugal’s Delhi were unbeaten in eight of the 11 games played in 2018.

FC Pune City’s CEO, Gaurav Modwel spoke of the qualities which he admires in his recruit, “In Miguel Angel, I believe we have a head coach who, with his philosophy and his preference to play an attacking brand of football, will embrace the style and quality of players we have at our club. He has a proven ability to develop young players and is known to foster a culture of team spirit amongst his players. “

Portugal spoke of the reasons why he chose to work with the Hero ISL team, citing the quality of players at the club. “There is an abundance of top-class talent at the club and I look forward to joining the squad soon. The club has retained the core players from last season that qualified for the playoffs and has made very capable additions to the squad. I believe we have a strong team that can challenge for the title this season.”

With the likes of Marcelinho, Iain Hume and Emiliano Alfaro at the club, Portugal has been blessed with one of the finest attacking players in the league at his disposal. If he can quickly implement his attacking philosophy into the side, the Stallions will be firm contenders for the title during the 2018-19 campaign of the Hero ISL.