Chennaiyin FC head coach Clifford Miranda happy ISL is happening, predicts a closely contested 2025-2026 season

With the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season kicking off in a shortened version from February 14, two-time champions Chennaiyin FC will enter a new era under Clifford Miranda, the first permanent Indian head coach in the club’s history.

CFC has had a disappointing season under Scot Owen Coyle, where it finished in eleventh place out of thirteen teams. Furthermore, the uncertainty ahead of the season has meant that big names such as Connor Shields, Ryan Edwards, Wilmar Jordán Gil and more have left the club, presenting a stiff challenge for Miranda.

However, the former India international brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously worked with Mohun Bagan Super Giant, FC Goa, Mumbai City and most importantly Odisha FC, winning the 2023 Super Cup, becoming the first Indian coach to achieve the feat.

With just a few days to go before ISL returns, the 43-year-old sat down for a chat Sports stars to talk about the challenges ahead of the season, the preparations, his and the club’s ambitions, and more.

Fragments:

Q. First, what have preparations been like for the upcoming season, given all the uncertainty and delays?

First of all, the good thing is that the ISL is starting, so there is no more uncertainty. The dates are known and I hope everything is on schedule. As for preparation, it’s never ideal when you have so little time. But I would like to look at the bigger picture, which is the competition starting. That’s the most important thing.

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Q. This season has been shortened to just 91 games. Do you think this will affect the teams or the outcome of the tournament in general?

I think so, because 12 games or 13 games doesn’t leave much room for error. But there is still plenty of time to reach the top four as the competition will be very tight.

The teams are almost of the same level, except for a few teams that have good players and now train all year round. So they will have an advantage. But again, I think it will be close. I think when it comes to points you can always maneuver a few points here and there.

Q. How do you ask a coach to help the players prepare, both physically and mentally, because there has been such a gap?

For me, the training part is more important than the mental part, to be honest. Why? Because the competition is happening. There is no better and more motivation than this. So mentally they have to be better prepared. For me, the challenge is that they haven’t trained for a very, very long time, almost nine months. Because from the day we started preparing until our first match, we have roughly three to four weeks, which is not enough.

If we push them (players) too hard, increase the intensity, there is always a chance that they will break. At the same time, if we don’t push, they won’t be ready by the time the game comes. So it’s something that we’re trying to deal with and adapt to.

Q: Why did you start working in Chennaiyin?

The biggest motivating factor was that they offered me the job of head coach. It can’t be better and bigger than this. I’ve had the opportunity to be an interim coach many times, but to start the season as a head coach (is motivating). And I hope I can work in a way where there is a real sense of professionalism.

Ask. Your first assignment with Chennaiyin was at the 2025 Super Cup late last year where the team had an unsuccessful performance. What are your insights from the campaign?

There were many factors. Firstly, it was a very difficult group because we had Mohun Bagan, East Bangal and Dempo SC – teams that entered this tournament with at least four to five weeks of preparation. I think even Dempo had a longer preseason than us.

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The biggest problem was that we had players who had not trained for six months, and then we had to build a squad with only eleven first-team players and the rest from the reserve team. So it was complex for me as a coach.

But I think the players have adapted very well. They got the idea of ​​what we wanted them to play and how we wanted them to play. The players played the first 30-35 minutes in all three matches, but the fatigue factor kicked in, which is normal. But I was very happy with the attitude of the players.

Q. What would you say is your playing style and how do you approach the game?

I like the possession-based side, but in a more aggressive, proactive way.

Q. You’ve lost players like Connor Shields, Ryan Edwards and more who formed the core group last year, but there have been some new signings as well. What is your opinion on the recruitment? How much influence do you have on bringing in players?

Players go and players come. It’s natural. Just like coaches. Those who had to go are already gone. Despite this, the club still recognizes their contribution to the club.

And now we look forward to the players who have come and who can contribute to the team’s success. And I believe I have a big voice. I have asked the club for certain players and under the current circumstances I would say that the management has delivered what I asked for.

Q. The ISL teams have written to the Sports Ministry regarding a postponement of relegation this season. What are your thoughts on this?

I think it’s up to the owners and the board to decide collectively. And whatever they think is the right way forward. Not just Chennai, but all clubs. I don’t really have much to say about that.

Q. Another important factor for Chennaiyin is the home matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which is currently booked for a number of events, after which the pitch needs to be repaired. Do you think the lack of home games at the start of the season could affect the team’s performance?

First, I have no control over the availability of the land. I wouldn’t really like to say anything about that because it’s completely outside my authority to even comment on that.

My job is to coach a football team, and that’s what I do. In terms of benefit, it’s a perspective and how someone looks at it. So you could consider it a disadvantage to play the sixth game at home. I can consider it an advantage because if we do well in the first five games we will be in a very, very strong position.

Q. This year, four Indians will start as permanent head coaches in the league. Do you think this season is an opportunity to showcase the talent of the Indian coaching system?

For me personally it is an opportunity, because this is what I have always been looking for: to become a head coach. And I think it’s the same for other coaches too. But whether it is an Indian coach or a foreign coach, the responsibility is the same. It doesn’t change.

Even if it is the most renowned coach, they still have to perform through his team. They still have to deliver. And that also applies to the other coaches. But for me the most important thing is whether I can be a professional. That’s the most important thing in terms of how I approach the game, how I approach the players, how I approach training, daily life and so on. Whether we train the players correctly is the most important thing. And when we do these things well, we can talk about success.

Q. Have you chosen a captain for the coming season yet?

No, not yet. We have yet to choose a leadership group. Firstly, we will do that through a democratic process by voting among the players. And then we will select a captain from that leadership group.

Q: What would an ideal end-of-season result look like for Chennayin?

A good season would be to win the ISL (laughs). Nothing better than that. But we’ll see. The goal is primarily to get the team to play the way I want it to play. And then we look at it match by match. As we go into the tournament, we will continue to improve ourselves. We will obviously be ambitious and hopefully we will try to have a memorable season.

Published on February 7, 2026