Indian Super League Season Begins Amidst Uncertainty and Transition
The wait for Indian football fans is finally over, but the new season of the Indian Super League (ISL) arrives at a complex and challenging time. As the league grapples with issues of clarity, continuity, and identity, the 2024-2025 campaign kicks off with defending champions Mohun Bagan SG facing Kerala Blasters in Kolkata on Saturday. This season marks a critical period of transition for Indian football, one that seems more focused on breaking free from a state of stagnation than embarking on a long-term journey of growth.
A League in Transition: New Federation Control and Unintended Consequences
Change is the dominant theme this season, acting as both a contradictory and complementary force. For the first time since the ISL's inception in 2014, the national federation, the All India Football Federation (AIFF), has taken direct control. This shift follows the end of the Master Rights Agreement between the AIFF and Reliance-owned Football Sports Development Limited. However, this change of guard has not been smooth, with unresolved issues and potential unintended consequences looming large.
The entire ISL ecosystem has suffered during this period of uncertainty, with visible disruptions that have left stakeholders concerned. The transition has created a turbulent environment, highlighting the need for stability and clear direction in Indian football's premier competition.
Mohun Bagan SG: Defending Champions with a New Leader
Mohun Bagan SG, the holders of both the ISL Shield and Cup, are beginning a new chapter under coach Sergio Lobera. The veteran Spaniard replaces the successful Jose Molina, stepping into a high-pressure role with a champion team. "Pressure? Yes, there's pressure," Lobera acknowledged during his pre-match media interaction. "I think if you don't feel pressure, it means you don't need to fight for big targets. I know I am in a winning team, in a champion's team. I know what is my responsibility and I am very excited about this responsibility."
Lobera has reasons for optimism, as Mohun Bagan's squad remains formidable despite the league's broader chaos. The team has benefited from the luxury of assembling players and training consistently over the past couple of months, giving them a significant advantage heading into the season opener.
Kerala Blasters: Embodying the League's Challenges
In stark contrast, Kerala Blasters represent the detrimental effects of this confusing and trying period. The club has undergone massive upheaval, parting ways with their entire foreign contingent, including key players like Noah Sadoui, Jesus Jimenez, and Adrian Luna. New coach David Catala faces a daunting task, integrating a completely new quintet of overseas players who have no prior experience in Indian conditions.
"We have come here with just 14 days of preparation and it's not enough," Catala admitted. "We're up against a team which has been training all this time when we didn't know what would happen to us. It is true that we are going to be the underdog team, but in football anything can happen." This disparity in preparation underscores the uneven playing field created by the league's instability.
Financial Instability and Player Exodus
The state of play across the ISL has been severely constrained by financial instability, forcing several clubs to make difficult decisions. Notable players have bid forced goodbyes to Indian football, including:
- FC Goa's David Timor, Iker Guarrotxena, and Borja Herrera
- Mumbai City FC's Tiri
- Bengaluru FC's Edgar Mendez
In a particularly significant move, Durand Cup champions North-East United FC have loaned out Alaeddine Ajaraie – the best player of the ISL's 2024-2025 season – to Persija Jakarta in the Indonesian league. This exodus of talent highlights the broader challenges facing Indian football, where financial pressures are impacting team composition and competitive balance.
As the new ISL season begins, it does so against a backdrop of uncertainty and transition. While the football promises excitement on the field, the off-field challenges of federation control changes, financial instability, and team disruptions cast a shadow over what should be a celebratory opening. The coming months will reveal whether this season can successfully navigate these turbulent waters and set Indian football on a clearer path forward.
