Prolific French striker Nicolas Anelka was named the marquee player-cum-manager of Mumbai City FC on Friday for the second season of the Indian Super League football tournament.
Anelka's first stint in a dual role of marquee player-cum-manager was in 2012 with Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua for a year.
The managing experience he brings will provide the energy and the enthusiasm to encourage the team to perform well under his guidance. Anelka was officially the league's fifth best player at the end of the inaugural season, where he scored twice with two assists.
Ready to take on the dual responsibility, Nicolas Anelka said, "I would like to say thank you to the Mumbai City FC staff for giving me the opportunity to coach the club. We are all very excited to start this new season. I'm personally very eager to take on this new role for the club and put a strong competitive team on the pitch! See you very soon."
Commenting on the new development, team owner Ranbir Kapoor said, "I'm thrilled to have Nicolas as our marquee player-cum-manager. Last year, he impressed us all with his tactical knowledge and excellent motivational skills. It's a role both parties have been discussing for a couple of months and it's been a great start. We will provide Nicolas all the support required to try and win the league this year."
Anelka, whose career is packed with 69 international matches and nearly 500 club appearances at the top level, will continue to enrich ISL's Mumbai Franchise with his wealth of experience.
{{/usCountry}}Anelka, whose career is packed with 69 international matches and nearly 500 club appearances at the top level, will continue to enrich ISL's Mumbai Franchise with his wealth of experience.
{{/usCountry}}The former French international has honed his skills with top-brass clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Liverpool ,and Juventus among others. He is among France's most talented players to grace Indian soil during the ISL.