ATK

Manager: Antonio Lopez Habas (Spain)

After failing to make the playoffs in successive seasons, ATK will look get back on track this season and compete in the top end of the table. Antonio Lopez Habas, previously on the books of Granada, Valencia, Celta Vigo and Pune City FC in India among other clubs, has been appointed as the Head Coach for the forthcoming season.

The Kolkata based club have been one of the most active sides in the transfer market and have bolstered their ranks with the additions of Carl McHugh, David Williams, Michael Soosairaj and Javi Hernandez.

Habas will look to imprint his philosophy and rejuvenate the two-time winners after two underwhelming seasons in the ISL. On paper, ATK look as strong as they've been since their title winning heroics in the third edition of the ISL and seem to have all bases covered.

Bengaluru FC

Manager: Carles Cuadrat (Spain)

After agonizingly missing out to Chennaiyin FC in the final in 2017, Bengaluru FC topped the league standings last season and managed to go all the way this time around.

Rahul Bheke's extra-time strike against FC Goa ensured that the Sunil Chhetri led side won their maiden ISL title and the reigning champions look well equipped to defend their crown.

In the off-season, the club acted diligently in the transfer market and bolstered their ranks, with the additions of Ashique Kuruniyan, Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Raphael Augusto amongst others.

Aside from adding players to the squad, the Bengaluru based outfit also managed to retain the bulk of their core group of players, making them overwhelming favorites for the forthcoming season.

Carles Cuadrat will continue as Head Coach after leading Bengaluru to the title and his side will look to get off to a fast start, as they aim to become the first team to defend their ISL crown.

Chennaiyin FC

Manager: John Gregory (England)

After a disastrous campaign last time around, Chennaiyin FC are on the lookout for a fresh start and their squad has undergone a massive overhaul in an attempt to return to winning ways. The two-time ISL Champions have opted to keep faith with John Gregory and the club have signed as many as nine new players to compete in the top end of the table.

Dhanpal Ganesh missed the entirety of the 2018/19 season with a ruptured Cruciate ligament injury and his return will come as a massive boost for Chennaiyin, as he'll add some much needed steel to their midfield.

Although the likes of FC Goa and ATK look better on paper, John Gregory's side are expected to be among the best teams in the division and the forthcoming season promises to be much better than the previous edition of the tournament, where they finished 9th in the table.

FC Odisha

Manager: Josep Gombau (Spain)

Previously referred to as Delhi Dynamos FC, FC Odisha is an Indian Super League side based in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. After the conclusion of the 2018/19 edition of the ISL, the club was re-branded as FC Odisha under the ownership of GMC Inc, a United-States based ship recycling company.

Josep Gombau has been appointed as the Head Coach for the forthcoming season. The Spaniard, previously on the books of Barcelona and Espanyol as a youth team coach, will look to imprint his philosophy and hit the ground running immediately as the Odisha-based side look to get off the mark quickly.

Although FC Odisha aren't one of the strongest squads on paper, the factor of unpredictability surrounded the side will make them tricky customers.

A handful of players have been retained from the erstwhile Delhi Dynamos and Gombau has brought with him as many as five of his compatriots to bolster his squad, with the likes of Aridane Santana and Marcos Tebar joining the club in the off-season among others.

FC Goa

Manager: Sergio Lobera (Spain)

After Bengaluru FC got the better of them in the final last season, FC Goa will look to clear the final hurdle this time around as they have ISL glory firmly in their sights. The Gaurs have managed to retain all six foreign players and have bolstered their ranks with the additions of Amey Ranawade and Aiban Dohling, among others.

After retaining their core group of players for the forthcoming season, there is a growing belief among the fans and players alike that FC Goa could go all they way this season.

Manager Sergio Lobera spoke at length to the media and remained upbeat about the season ahead, going on to reveal that they approached the transfer market after careful deliberation of their resources.

FC Hyderabad

Manager: Phil Brown (England)

After the dissolution of FC Pune City, FC Hyderabad was established in August 2019 and the newly-formed franchise will contest in the forthcoming season of the Indian Super League for the first time.

HFC will look to make an impression in their debut season and look well equipped to do so with Phil Brown in charge of the club. The Englishman comes with a proven pedigree, having managed the likes of Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool and his experience could prove to be vital for the ISL debutants.

A handful of players have been retained from the erstwhile Pune City FC and with Phil Brown at the helm, HFC will look to get off the mark quickly in order to make the playoffs.

Brazilian winger Marcelinho, who captained Pune City FC in his time at the club, will lead the ISL debutants for the forthcoming season.

Jamshedpur FC

Manager: Antonio Irondo (Spain)

After consecutive fifth-placed finishes, Jamshedpur FC will look to go one step further as their new-look side look to make the playoffs for the first time in the club's history. Antonio Irondo has been appointed as the Head Coach and the Spaniard has been joined by as 5 of his compatriots at the club.

Veteran Spaniards in Noe Acosta, Piti and Aitor Monroy have joined the club in the off-season and the seasoned campaigners will look to add some much needed stability and experience to the team.

Although Jamshedpur FC's scalps in the transfer market have been overshadowed by the likes of ATK and Chennaiyin, Antonio Irondo's side have opted to trust their local talent and have a handful of Indian players coming through the ranks, with Sumeet Passi being one of the notable names.

Kerala Blasters FC

Manager: Eelco Schattorie (Netherlands)

After a disastrous 2018/19 campaign, Kerala Blasters will look to get back on track and have worked diligently behind the scenes to build a competitive side. Eelco Schattorie has taken over as Head Coach for the forthcoming season and the Dutchman joins the Yellow Army fresh from guiding NorthEast United to the playoffs for the first time in their history.

The former East Bengal manager has also brought with him striker Bartholomew Ogbeche, was scored 12 goals in the ISL last season for NorthEast United. The French striker, previously on the books of Paris Saint Germain and Middlesbrough, will spearhead their new look attack and look to carry on from where he left off last season.

Schattorie knows the road to redemption will be a long one for his new side and has urged the fans to stay patient, after their pre-season preparations were disrupted with a whole host of injuries.

Kerala Blasters could undergo a season of transition but with Schattorie at the helm, they are certain to be tricky customers. In the off season, the squad underwent wholesale changes in order to breath new life into the team and the two-time finalists will look to get back on track this season.

Mumbai City FC

Manager: Jorge Costa (Portugal)

After five season, Mumbai City FC will finally look to go all the way this season after falling desperately short on multiple occasions in the past. The Islanders made it through to the knockout stages by virtue of their third-placed finish last season but came up short against a resilient FC Goa side in the semi-final.

There is a renowned sense of optimism going in to the new season and this has been echoed by manager Jorge Costa as well as captain Paulo Machado.

Mumbai City FC have a larger squad this season and will look to make it count. With games coming thick and fast, they can afford to rotate their key players in order to keep them fresh for the business end of the tournament.

MCFC will aim to seal in the spot in the top-four at the very least as they look to go two steps further than last season, according to their CEO Indranil Das Blah. Modou Sougou, Mumbai's goalscoring sensation from last season, will look to carry on from where he left off and his ability in front of goal will be crucial to their title hopes.

NorthEast United FC

Manager: Robert Jarni (Croatia)

NorthEast United reached the playoffs for the first time in their history last season but have undergone a summer of change in the off season. Under Eelco Schattorie, the club gained entry into the knockout stages bu virtue of their fourth-placed finish.

Although they were beaten by eventual champions Benguluru FC in the semi-final stage, courtesy of a hat-trick from Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri, their season was an unwavering success considering the circumstances.

Schattorie has since then moved on to fellow ISL side Kerala Blasters and Roberto Jarni has taken over the reigns as Head Coach. The Croatian international enjoyed a successful playing career for club and country, famously representing Real Madrid and the Croatian National Team in as many as three major tournaments.

Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan will ply his trade with The Highlanders this season and his addition could prove to be a much needed boost to their forward line.

Although the likes of ATK, Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC look better on paper, NorthEast United could prove to be tricky customers and will look to emulate their exploits from last season.