Mumbai City FC have intensified their pre-season preparations for the 2026-27 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign, embarking on a new era under head coach Manolo Marquez as the Islanders gear up for a title challenge. With the new season kicking off on October 10, Marquez and his backroom staff are deploying the pre-season window to instil tactical structures, sharpen physical conditioning, and embed the playing principles they want the squad to internalise.

Marquez Sets the Tone

The Spanish coach, who brings considerable experience in Indian football, described the pre-season as a critical window for laying groundwork. Manolo Marquez said: '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. The attitude and commitment from the squad have been positive, and now we want to continue building a strong foundation for the season.'

The emphasis on relationships and collective understanding signals that Marquez is prioritising cohesion over early results — a measured approach given that a coaching change always demands a settling-in period for the playing group.

Players Embrace the New Setup

Midfielder Brandon Fernandes, one of the squad's experienced voices, said the players have welcomed Marquez's arrival with enthusiasm. '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 said.

He added that collective ambition within the dressing room remains high. 'There is a lot of ambition within the group, and we want to compete at the top and fight for trophies. But right now, the focus is on working hard every day, improving as a team and making sure we are ready for the start of the season,' he noted.

The Islanders' Title Pedigree

Mumbai City FC arrive at this pre-season with a decorated recent history. The club clinched the ISL League and Cup double in the 2020-21 season, added the ISL League Shield in 2022-23, and lifted the ISL Cup again in 2023-24. That track record raises expectations — and means Marquez inherits both the pressure of a winning culture and the infrastructure to sustain it.

What to Watch as the Season Nears

The Islanders will continue pre-season work in the coming weeks, with Marquez focused on building cohesion across the squad before competitive football resumes on October 10. How quickly the team absorbs the new coach's tactical blueprint will likely determine whether Mumbai City FC can challenge for silverware from the first weeks of the campaign.