Top five foreign coaches in the I-League era

4. Zoran Djordjevic (Churchill Brothers 2008-09)

Zoran with Odafa

The Serbian hasn’t even worked in India for one full season but yet is guaranteed a place in Indian club football history as he became the first foreign coach to win the top flight. Emeka Ezeugo was appointed the Churchill Brothers head coach at the start of the 2008-09 campaign but the former Nigerian World Cupper was removed just days before the start of the I-League after he reportedly fell out with some senior players following defeat in the Durand Cup final. Zoran was the replacement and he arrived in Indian football having had plenty of experience working in the Middle East.

For years, Churchill Brothers were the ultimate chokers as they had previously finished runners-up four times but under Zoran, the family club were finally crowned champions of India. The Serb had created history and even won the Goa League title besides reaching the semi-finals of the Federation Cup. He was adjudged the Coach of the Season by the AIFF but it wasn’t enough to get him a new contract at the Goan club. Zoran, who is currently the head coach of the South Sudan national team, still boasts the best winning percentage (59.09) for a Churchill Brothers coach in the I-League.