Will Punjab FC Continue to Thrive Under Head Coach Panagiotis Dilmperis Until 2027?

Mohali, June 10 (NationPress) Punjab FC (PFC) has officially announced the extension of Head Coach Panagiotis Dilmperis' contract, securing his position until 2027. This decision follows a season characterized by significant developmental progress and remarkable achievements for the club.

Alongside Dilmperis, Assistant Coach Konstantinos Katsaras and Strength and Conditioning Coach Papaioannou Ioannis will also remain with the club, while Sankarlal Chakraborty continues as the Indian Assistant Coach for the upcoming season.

Dilmperis, who joined Punjab FC prior to the 2024–25 season from Greek club A. E Ermionida FC, led the team to a respectable tenth place in the Indian Super League with 28 points and also guided the Shers to the quarterfinals of the Kalinga Super Cup.

Commenting on the contract extension, Dilmperis expressed, “I’m honored to continue this exciting journey with Punjab FC. I want to sincerely thank Punjab FC for trusting me and allowing me the opportunity to be part of Indian football. Working with such talented and dedicated players has been a rewarding experience. I believe Indian football has tremendous potential, and I’m proud to contribute to its growth through our work at Punjab FC. Together with my staff, I look forward to building on the foundations we’ve established and further developing both the team and the young talent around us.”

The season commenced strongly for the team, winning four out of their first five matches, although injuries hindered consistency later on. Despite these challenges, the Shers achieved four additional wins and four draws in their remaining 19 fixtures. Offensively, the team was vibrant, netting 28 of their total 34 goals from open play, while defensively, they excelled in interceptions per match.

Under Dilmperis, the Shers made noteworthy advancements in youth development, earning the Indian Super League Award for Best Elite Youth Program for the 2024–25 season.

The club fielded the youngest squad in the league, averaging 25 years and 216 days, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing homegrown talent. Nine academy graduates played in the senior team this season, with six making their first-team debuts under Dilmperis. The Shers also led the league in minutes played by teenagers and U23 players, accumulating an impressive 7,522 minutes throughout the campaign.

The 2024-25 season also witnessed several landmark individual accomplishments. Pramveer Singh became the youngest starter in ISL history, while Singamayum Shami emerged as the youngest goal scorer in ISL history. Vishal Yadav and the dynamic Muhammad Suhail contributed to the youth accolades, becoming the third youngest debutant and third youngest assist provider, respectively.

In another proud moment for the club, Abhishek Singh and Nikhil Prabhu received senior national team call-ups, becoming the first players from Punjab FC to represent the Indian National Football Team.

Nikolaos Topoliatis, Football Director of Punjab FC, stated, “We are thrilled to retain our coaching team for the long term. Dilmperis, Konstantinos, and Papaioannou have brought professionalism, commitment, and faith to the squad. Dilmperis’ vision for the team aligns closely with the club’s philosophy of youth development and long-term progress. We are confident he will continue to lead the team with purpose and passion.”