Why Did Chennaiyin FC and Owen Coyle Decide to Part Ways?

New Delhi, July 17 (NationPress) The Indian Super League (ISL) team Chennaiyin FC and head coach Owen Coyle have reached a mutual agreement to separate, as announced by the club on Thursday.

"Chennaiyin FC and Head Coach Owen Coyle have mutually agreed to part ways. We express our gratitude to Vaathi for his invaluable contributions to the club and wish him the very best in his future endeavours," the official statement from Chennaiyin FC read on X.

Coyle had signed a contract extension with the club last year, which was set to last until 2026.

During the 2024-25 season, Chennaiyin FC ended in 11th place, managing only seven victories out of 24 matches. The Chennai-based team began the ISL 2024-25 season strongly under Coyle's leadership, remaining unbeaten in their first four matches on the road, securing seven points.

Unfortunately, they couldn't maintain that momentum and faced a fluctuating season, ultimately finishing with an impressive 5-2 victory against Jamshedpur FC at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in front of their home crowd.

This was Coyle's second tenure with the club, having first managed them in the 2019-20 season, where he dramatically turned the team's fortunes around, leading them from near the bottom of the table to an inspiring ISL final appearance. Upon rejoining in 2023, he effectively guided Chennaiyin back to the playoffs after a four-year hiatus.

The Scottish manager has been recognized as one of the most accomplished figures in the ISL, having previously clinched the ISL Shield with Jamshedpur FC. Beyond his accolades, Coyle has played a vital role in developing young local talent, aligning perfectly with Chennaiyin’s long-term goal of fostering youth.

"I am absolutely thrilled to extend my stay at Chennaiyin FC. Since day one, I’ve believed in the vision and potential of this club. The unwavering support from the fans, the dedication of the players, and the commitment from everyone at the club make this a truly special place to work. I sincerely thank the owners for their trust, and together, we will continue to build on this journey," Coyle stated during his contract extension.

Meanwhile, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the IMG Reliance subsidiary responsible for organizing the Indian Super League (ISL), has announced that the upcoming ISL 2025-26 season is on hold due to stalled negotiations regarding the extension of its deal with the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

In a communication to the participating clubs, FSDL indicated that it is compelled to pause the ISL 2025-26 season as it is "unable to effectively plan, organize, or commercialize the 2025–26 ISL season" due to the lack of an agreement on the Master Rights Agreement (MRA), which is set to expire on December 8, 2025, with the AIFF.