With Indian Super League’s (ISL) 2015 just months away, player signings for season 2 has picked up with Mumbai City FC announcing that they would not only be retaining French striker Nicolas Anelka as a player for the second season, but the international star would now also act as team’s marquee manager for ISL Season 2.
Anelka, was part of the Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua’s coaching staff; back in 2012 has thus had some experience as team coach in the past. He was also named ISL’s fifth best player of the season last year for his two superb goals an assists in the inaugural season.
Though Mumbai City FC finished second from the bottom last season, the team looked at players individual performances and decided to retain Indian players Subrata Paul, Subhash Singam Singhand Lalrindika Ralte from the first season.
Talking about the big move to make Anelka into a marquee player cum- manager, team owner and bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor on Friday said, that he was thrilled to have Nicolas as our marquee player-cum-manager as last year he had impressed everyone with his tactical knowledge and excellent motivational skills and thus it was a move both parties had been discussing for a couple of months now.
Anelka, was a very poplar face of ISl last season and the former Chelsea star with his speed and skills on the field had outwitted many international stars.
The French has played on 69 occasions for his country and has got nearly 500 club appearancesunder his belt. He also had the pleasure of playing for clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Juventus.
He was also one of the first international stars to confirm his return for ISL 2015.
