Mumbai City FC have stepped up preparations for the Indian Super League 2026-27 season, beginning a new chapter under Head Coach Manolo Márquez. With the new ISL campaign scheduled to begin on October 10, 2026, the Islanders are using their pre-season programme to build fitness, tactical understanding and familiarity with the new coaching setup.
Márquez joined Mumbai City FC ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, bringing extensive experience from Indian football. The current preparation phase is focused on establishing his playing principles and helping the squad develop a common understanding ahead of the competitive season.
| Details | Mumbai City FC – ISL 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Club | Mumbai City FC |
| Nickname | The Islanders |
| Competition | Indian Super League |
| Season | 2026-27 |
| Head Coach | Manolo Márquez |
| ISL Season Begins | October 10, 2026 |
| Key Midfielder | Brandon Fernandes |
| Home Ground | Mumbai Football Arena, Andheri, Mumbai |
| Pre-Season Focus | Fitness, tactical structure, team coordination and playing philosophy |
Manolo Márquez Begins New Chapter With Mumbai City FC
The ongoing pre-season gives Manolo Márquez and his coaching staff an important opportunity to work closely with the squad before the competitive fixtures begin.
Training has focused on physical conditioning, tactical structures and relationships between players, while the squad adapts to the methods and expectations of the new head coach.
For Márquez, the preparation period is also about developing a shared understanding of how Mumbai City FC should approach matches during the new season.
“Pre-season is a very important period because it gives us the opportunity to work on many aspects of our game and, most importantly, for the players to understand what we want from them. We are working on our physical condition, our tactical ideas and the relationships between the players.”
Márquez added that the attitude and commitment shown by the squad have been positive, with the club now looking to build a strong foundation for the season.
Brandon Fernandes on Working With Manolo Márquez
For the Mumbai City FC players, the arrival of a new head coach also brings a fresh set of tactical ideas and expectations.
Midfielder Brandon Fernandes believes the squad has responded positively to the change and is using the pre-season period to understand Márquez’s methods.
“It is a new beginning for us and we are enjoying the process of working with Coach Manolo. He has a lot of experience in Indian football, and we are learning his ideas and understanding what he expects from us.”
Brandon also highlighted the ambition within the squad while stressing that the immediate priority is daily improvement and preparation.
The midfielder said Mumbai City FC want to compete at the top and challenge for trophies, but the current focus remains on working hard, developing as a team and being ready for the opening of the season.
ISL 2026-27 Starts on October 10
The Indian Super League 2026-27 season is scheduled to begin on October 10, 2026. Mumbai City FC will continue their preparations in the weeks leading up to the start of the competition.
For Márquez and his coaching staff, this period will be crucial for building a cohesive squad and establishing the tactical foundations for the Islanders’ new campaign.
About Mumbai City FC
Mumbai City FC were formed in August 2014 and compete in the Indian Super League. The club also participates in domestic competitions including the Super Cup and Durand Cup.
Known as The Islanders, Mumbai City FC achieved the ISL League and ISL Cup double in the 2020-21 season. The club subsequently lifted the ISL League Shield in 2022-23 and the ISL Cup in 2023-24.
Mumbai City FC have also represented India in the AFC Champions League. The club competed in the continental competition in 2022 and the 2023-24 season, becoming the first Indian club to register victories in the competition.
The club is owned by Ranbir Kapoor and Bimal Parekh, and Mumbai City FC play their home matches at the Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri, Mumbai.
With Manolo Márquez now leading the first team, Mumbai City FC enter the ISL 2026-27 season with a new coaching setup and a pre-season programme focused on preparing the squad for the challenges ahead.
