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New Delhi: Mohun Bagan brought in Sergio Lobera to replace Jose Molina as head coach for the remainder of the 2025-26 season on Wednesday.
The reigning Indian Super League champions fell out with Spaniard Molina after their Super Cup exit following a goalless draw with traditional rivals East Bengal in a must-win game last month.
Molina’s compatriot Lobera ended his association Odisha FC hours before joining the Green and Maroons.
Bagan had halted training indefinitely over a prevailing uncertainty in commencement of the top-flight ISL but announced resumption of practice from November 30.
Under Molina, Bagan completed a rare double of ISL Shield and Cup last season but have won only one of the three tournaments they have participated in the ongoing campaign.
The Kolkata giants lost to cross-town foes East Bengal in the Durand Cup quarter-finals before beating them on penalties in the final to lift the IFA Shield.
In between they raised security concerns for refusing to travel to Iran for an away Asian Champions League 2 match and were considered to have withdrawn from the competition by the Asian Football Confederation.
Molina had attempted to deflect blame of their Super Cup failure on the team management, which was viewed as the last straw in a steadily deteriorating relationship.
TV9 Sports understands that Bagan had initiated negotiations with Lobera even before their Super Cup derby against EB on October 31.
“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 said.
“This team has the talent and the spirit capable of dominating Indian football. I have come here to take that potential to greater heights. Mohun Bagan deserves to be at the top, and we will work every day to turn that dream into reality.”
Under Lobera, OFC finished seventh last season and fourth in 2023-24 and were finalist in 2024 Super Cup.
Odisha is the only ISL side who stayed away from the Super Cup, after abstaining from Durand Cup.
Lobera has earlier been at the helm of FC Goa, winning Super Cup, and Mumbai City, driving them to ISL 'double' in 2020-21.
The 28-year-old has experience of working at FC Barcelonas youth set-up and China.
