ISL 2017: FC Pune City appoint Ranko Popovic as new head coach

Pune, September 25: Indian Super League (ISL) side FC Pune City today roped in Ranko Popovic as their new head coach for the 2017-18 season.

Popovic began his managerial career in 2001 with Austrian club TuS FC Arnfels followed by a stint with another Austrian club FC Pachern from 2004-2006.

In 2006, he took the reins of Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the J1 league for a year before going back to his homeland, coaching FC Spartak Subotica in the Serbian SuperLiga until 2009.

Guiding the #StallionsOf2017 off the pitch and from the sidelines, we can't wait to welcome the new leader! pic.twitter.com/wkcsTM3DnX

— FC Pune City (@FCPuneCity) September 25, 2017

Popovic returned to Japan managing Oita Trinita, FC Machida Zelvia, FC Tokyo eventually climbing the progress ladder to manage Cerezo Osaka, one of the strongest teams in Japanese league football.

It was during his managerial stint when the club signed Uruguayan star Diego Forlan. During his time in Japan, he promoted several young players who went on to receive debut call-ups for the national team.

Bringing experience from Spain, Japan & Thailand, Ranko Popovic is fired up to lead the #StallionsOf2017! pic.twitter.com/mC7mgXxGn5

— FC Pune City (@FCPuneCity) September 25, 2017

In 2014-15, he went to Spain to coach Segunda Division club Real Zaragoza where he led the team to finals of the La Liga play-offs.

A season later, he joined Thai Premier League Champions Buriram United FC where he won the Thai League Cup and Mekong Club Championship.

Commenting on the appointment, CEO of FC Pune City, Gaurav Modwel said: "In Ranko, we have a manager with distinguished coaching career spanning 15 years.

"His successful stints in different leagues vastly differing in cultural environment and football ecosystem, especially in Asia, makes him very relevant for a club like ours. Ranko is multilingual and believes strongly in developing youth players."