Antonio Lopez Habas returned to familiar territory as reigning Indian Super League champion East Bengal announced the appointment of the decorated Spaniard as its head coach ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Habas succeeds Oscar Bruzon, who guided East Bengal to its breakthrough league triumph, and arrives with one of the most decorated CVs in Indian football.
His last assignment was with Inter Kashi, where he spent nearly two seasons after taking charge in 2024. He guided the Varanasi-based club to the I-League title the following season before leaving amid reports of financial turmoil that strained his relationship with the management.
Habas has been one of the defining figures of the ISL since the league’s inaugural season in 2014. He made an immediate impact by guiding ATK to the inaugural ISL title before taking the Kolkata outfit to another championship in 2019-20 during his second spell. He also had a stint with FC Pune City before taking charge of Mohun Bagan Super Giant, whom he guided to the ISL final in its debut season in 2020-21. Although Mohun Bagan narrowly missed both the League Shield and the ISL Cup that year, Habas returned midway through the 2023-24 campaign to revive another faltering season. Replacing Juan Ferrando after a string of poor results, Habas masterminded an 11-match unbeaten league run as Mohun Bagan surged to its maiden ISL League Shield, completing his collection of every major ISL honour.
Welcoming Habas, East Bengal president M. L. Lohia described him as the ideal man to take the club forward. “We are delighted to welcome Antonio Lopez Habas to the East Bengal family. Coach Habas is one of the most accomplished and respected football coaches to have worked in Indian football. His proven leadership, tactical acumen, professionalism and winning mentality make him an ideal choice to lead our team into a new era.”
Habas said coaching East Bengal was both an honour and a responsibility. It is my true honour to join East Bengal. I embrace this challenge with excitement, humility and a great sense of responsibility. From today, all our efforts will be dedicated to representing this badge with pride and fighting together to achieve the club’s ambitions. I am looking forward to seeing all the fans soon in Kolkata.”
East Bengal also appointed Carlos Agustin Fonseca Teijeiro as assistant coach. The Spaniard joins with extensive international coaching experience and is expected to strengthen the club’s technical staff alongside Habas.
Courtesy: PTI
