Football: Jose Molina sacked! Mohun Bagan appoints Sergio Lobera as new head coach
Why did MBSG part ways with Molina mid-season?
Jose Molina led Mohun Bagan Super Giant to the Indian Super League and ISL Cup titles last season, but the club made a surprising decision to part ways with the Spaniard following their exit from the Super Cup last month.
Reports have suggested that the reason for the decision stemmed from growing discomfort within the camp, which led to a turbulent start to the season, as seen in the Super Cup, where the team was evidently disjointed.
Additionally, it had been well publicised that Molina’s frustrations with the club had grown after they refused to travel to Iran for their AFC Champions League 2 match against Sepahan and failed to sign an attacking midfielder - a move that the Spaniard had been pushing for.
Following the confirmation of Molina’s departure, MBSG swiftly announced his compatriot Sergio Lobera as the team’s new head coach. He signed his contract with the ISL champions last Wednesday and arrived at the club this past weekend. Speaking to the media, Lobera said:
“Taking charge at Mohun Bagan Super Giant is a huge honour for me. This club has a lot of history, passion, and ambition. I am committed to building a team that will play with courage, a unique identity, and a winning mentality. We will work together to make this chapter unforgettable.”
Lobera takes up his new role with the Mariners after a stint with Odisha FC, whose future is currently uncertain, with the club having temporarily suspended first-team operations amid concerns surrounding the 2025-26 ISL season.
Indian Sports Ministry steps in to solve ISL deadlock
With the 2025-26 Indian Super League season still uncertain, and clubs and players growing increasingly desperate, the Indian Sports Ministry has now stepped in to try and find solutions to the current crisis facing the nation’s top flight.
The Sports Ministry has scheduled meetings with several Indian football stakeholders, including the All India Football Federation, ISL and I-League clubs, and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) at their headquarters on Wednesday, December 3.
While there are still major issues that need to be addressed within Indian football’s ecosystem, particularly the adoption of the new constitution, it is understood that this week’s meetings are purely focused on finding a way to restart the league and safeguard livelihoods.
