East Bengal appoints Antonio Lopez Habas as head coach ahead of the 2026-2027 season

Antonio Lopez Habas returned to familiar territory as reigning Indian Super League champions East Bengal announced the appointment of the decorated Spaniard as head coach ahead of the 2026-2027 season.

The appointment comes at a crucial time for the Kolkata giants, who are preparing to defend their maiden ISL League Shield while facing uncertainty over their ownership structure.

East Bengal will take on arch-rivals Mohun Bagan in the Durand Cup opener in Kolkata on July 25 and according to club sources, Habas will take charge before the match.

East Bengal announced Habas’ appointment through the club management, indicating that the partnership with the Emami Group, under whose leadership the Red-and-Gold Brigade ended a 22-year wait for a domestic league title by winning the ISL League Shield last season, has expired and is yet to be renewed.

Habas succeeds Oscar Bruzon, who guided East Bengal to their breakthrough in the league, and comes with one of the most decorated CVs in Indian football.

The 69-year-old has won three major ISL honours, two ISL Cups and one League Shield, besides lifting the I-League trophy, making him the only coach to have won both of India’s premier domestic competitions.

His last assignment was at Inter Kashi, where he spent almost two seasons after taking charge in 2024. The following season he guided the Varanasi club to the I-League title before leaving amid reports of financial turmoil that strained his relationship with the management.

East Bengal President ML Lohia welcomed Habas and 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 talented and respected football coaches to have worked in Indian football,» said Lohia.

“His proven leadership, tactical insight, professionalism and winning mentality make him an ideal choice to lead our team into a new era.

«East Bengal is more than just a football club. It is an institution built on passion, pride and the unwavering support of millions of fans around the world. We are confident that Coach Habas shares these values ​​and will inspire our players to uphold the rich legacy of this great club.»

Habas said coaching East Bengal was both an honor and a responsibility.

«It is my true honor to join East Bengal. I embrace this challenge with excitement, humility and a great sense of responsibility,» he said.

«From today, all our efforts will be focused on representing this badge with pride and fighting together to achieve the club’s ambitions. I look forward to seeing all the fans in Kolkata soon.»

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East Bengal also appointed Carlos Agustin Fonseca Teijeiro as assistant coach. The Spaniard joins with extensive international coaching experience and is expected to join the club’s coaching staff alongside Habas.

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 leading ATK to the inaugural ISL title before taking the Kolkata team 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 the debut season of 2020-2021.

Although Mohun Bagan narrowly missed out on both the League Shield and ISL Cup that year, Habas returned midway through the 2023/24 season to revive another faltering season.

Habas replaced Juan Ferrando after a string of poor results and masterminded an 11-match unbeaten league run as Mohun Bagan rose to their first ISL League Shield, completing his collection of all major ISL honours.

Unlike coaches who prefer possession-dominated football, Habas has built his reputation on defensive organization, tactical discipline and quick counter-attacks, a philosophy that has brought repeated success in India.

Published on July 6, 2026