Thomas & Friends to coach CFC

German Brdaric appointed Chennaiyin boss for Indian Super League 9

Chennaiyin FC on Tuesday appointed German tactician Thomas Brdaric as its head coach for the upcoming Indian Super League Season 9.

Brdaric replaces interim coach Sabir Pasha, who took over the reins at the end of ISL 8 following the departure of Bozidar Bandovic. In his most recent spell, the 47-year-old Brdaric clinched the Albanian Cup for successive seasons (2020-21 and 2021-22) with KF Vllaznia. In his first season in charge, he led Vllaznia to a runner-up finish in the Albanian Championship, an achievement which earned him the ‘Coach of the Year’ award in 2021.

Brdaric also managed the Albanian club in the Europa Conference League qualifiers last season. “First of all, I would like to thank Vita Dani (co-owner) and the Chennaiyin family for putting their faith in me. Honestly, I am looking forward to this incredible journey. This will be a great experience and challenge where we will push further as one team,” Brdaric was quoted as saying in a release issued by the twotime ISL champion.

“This is not my first time outside of Germany, therefore I am aware of most circumstances and I am ready to move

forward with Chennaiyin. I cannot wait to get started,” added Brdaric. Speaking on the club’s new boss, Vita said: “We are delighted to have Brdaric lead the team in our first real long season. We are well aware of the impact he has had at every club that he has coached. We aspire to replicate the same at CFC.”

Brdaric has also had various spells in Germany’s lower leagues, including coaching the Wolfsburg Under-21 team in the 2014-15 season. Chennaiyin is yet to announce Brdaric’s backroom staff for the forthcoming ISL campaign.