Mumbai City FC head coach Manolo Marquez has outlined a game-by-game philosophy for the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) 2026 season, stressing that a fresh squad and a new campaign demand focus on gradual improvement rather than resting on the club's established reputation.

Marquez's Core Message: Progress Over Prestige

Speaking at a media interaction ahead of the new season, Marquez was direct about his ambitions. “We want to improve all the areas because it’s a new season, new players, everything,” he said. The Spanish coach acknowledged Mumbai City’s standing as one of Indian football’s historically strong clubs, but was equally clear that reputation carries no guarantees on the pitch.

“You can be a historical team. Not Mumbai; a lot of teams in India. But finally, you need to play game by game,” Marquez added. The approach signals a pragmatic reset rather than a title-or-bust mandate heading into the new campaign.

Opening Fixture and Immediate Objectives

Mumbai City face Churchill Brothers in their season opener, and Marquez said his immediate priority is to have his players in peak condition for that fixture. “If we get the three points, fantastic. If not, let’s go again for the second game because this is the competition that I like,” he said, underlining a resilient, match-by-match mindset.

Mumbai City finished third in the 2025-26 ISL season, collecting 25 points from 13 matches — recording seven wins, four draws, and two defeats. Their defensive record was particularly impressive, conceding just nine goals across those matches. Marquez, who was appointed head coach in July 2026, will look to build on that platform.

Marquez's Track Record and Appointment

The former Hyderabad FC and FC Goa coach brings considerable ISL pedigree to the role. He guided Hyderabad FC to their maiden ISL title in the 2021-22 season, one of the competition’s most celebrated underdog stories, and also delivered domestic success during his stint at Goa. His appointment at Mumbai City in July was widely seen as a statement of ambition by the club’s management.

Format Change and the Diamond Harbour Absence

Marquez welcomed the return of the home-and-away format and a playoffs structure for the upcoming ISL season, calling it the fairest way to determine a champion. “One competition where you play home and away is the most fair tournament. Long tournament, when the best team is the champion,” he said.

He did, however, express disappointment that Diamond Harbour FC would not be participating, noting that a 14-team competition would have offered a fuller schedule. The ISL will instead proceed with 13 teams and a 24-match season per club. “It would be better 14 than 13 teams, but at least to play 24 games will be a good chance,” Marquez noted.

Top-Six Race Expected to Be Fiercely Contested

Looking at the broader competitive picture, Marquez predicted a closely contested battle for the top-six playoff spots. “It is very, very difficult this year to predict who will be in the top six,” he said, suggesting several clubs are capable of challenging. The expanded home-and-away format, in his assessment, will reduce the role of luck and reward consistency over a longer campaign.

With Mumbai City's defensive foundations intact and a coach of Marquez’s calibre at the helm, the club will be expected to be among the frontrunners — even as the coach himself keeps the messaging measured and grounded.