Des Buckingham, the youngest manager in the Indian Super League, recently shared valuable insights during a media interaction.
Under Des Buckingham guidance, Mumbai City FC has achieved unprecedented success in just two seasons. In their debut appearance at the 2022 AFC Champions League, they secured a second-place finish in the group stage, making history as the first Indian team to claim victory in the tournament.
Under Des Buckingham’s leadership, Mumbai City FC clinched their second Hero ISL League Shield in three seasons. Setting a new record, the team remained unbeaten in 18 games, showcasing an attacking and captivating style of football, with significant contributions from Indian players.
Transformation under Des Buckingham
In an interview with Sky Sports, Buckingham highlighted the team’s transformation. He revealed, “Indian players were used to being told what to do and how to do it.” Buckingham prioritized player empowerment through open conversations and active involvement. He explained, “That first year (in the bio bubble), we spent a lot of time getting them comfortable having conversations to drive their development.”
“During the (first) season, we had one or two different ways of doing that depending upon how the opposition pressed us. Now, after spending time on it, and with them asking questions, we have five or six ways.”
-stated by Des Buckingham
Transformation of Mumbai City FC into a Seamless Part of the CFG Network
Des Buckingham’s appointment as the coach of Mumbai City FC in 2021 was driven by two key factors identified by CFG.
“I was brought in by CFG to this club from Melbourne for two reasons. One was to build the playing style, build that identity. The second was to try and make this club a CFG club behind the scenes as well. So, everything that our players experience and everything that our players have on and off the field is the same or very similar to what they get at other clubs in the CFG network.”
– he explained
Teaching-inspired Coaching Approach
Des Buckingham’s teaching background has greatly influenced his coaching approach, Recalling on his experiences,
“I was a teacher for four years, and those years helped set up the framework for how people learn and how to involve people in their learning. If they understand it, you do not have to remind them every week.”
– he shared
By cultivating an environment that promoted comprehension and independent thinking. Buckingham empowered the players to assume responsibility for their growth and perform their roles with increased confidence.
Des Buckingham, Mumbai City FC’s youngest manager, discussed coaching philosophy, transfer activities, and season expectations in a recent media interview. Excerpts follow.
Transfer Moves
Additionally, Des Buckingham acknowledged the significant moves made by other ISL clubs in the transfer window, thereby intensifying the competition for the upcoming season.
“We don’t want to be the same as last season. Last season was very successful for us for many reasons and we were able to do what we did. But we can’t do the same again. We need to recognize what worked well, and we don’t want to throw it all out and change everything. We want to build on the success we had, and we want to be as successful as we can.”
-He stated
Des Buckingham stressed the importance of retaining about 70%-80% what worked well while also adapting and evolving for the upcoming season. Securing long-term contracts, especially for young players, has been a priority for Mumbai City FC.
About AFC Champions League
He eagerly anticipated the challenge and speculated on the possibility of facing one of these impactful signings in the tournament.
“We know this may be the last time an Indian club gets to go to the AFC Champions League for a period of time. We want to build on what Goa did the first year, and what we did last year, to try and showcase Indian football firstly, and secondly, what our players are capable of doing. Because as you just heard, we want to be a club that provides a platform for the players to move outside of India as well.”
-He stated about AFC Champions League
Des Buckingham fondly recalled Mumbai City’s impressive performance in the previous AFC Champions League campaign. “We’ll wait for the draw, but what I will say is the club and the players, we’re all very excited about going and representing our club, the area, and the country again.”
Des About National Team Camps Preparation
Des Buckingham stressed the importance of national team camps during the midseason break for the Asian Cup, stating Mumbai City FC’s compliance with the AIFF’s directives. He emphasized the significance of the tournament for Indian football. “And we will continue to do as I have done since we’ve been here for two years. We continue to try and support the national team as well as we can because it’s good for Indian football, it’s good for our players who want to go and represent their country.”
“In our squad, we’ve re-signed Phurba (Lachenpa), we’ve re-signed Mehtab (Singh), we’ve re-signed Vikram (Singh), Ayush (Chhikara), Vinit (Rai), Rahul (Bheke). Now if I’m at another club and I was fortunate enough to be able to sign one of those players, they’d be big signings. So, although on paper we’ve obviously signed Yoell (van Nieff), we’ve brought in Tiri and Akash (Mishra), so it’s only three really incomings, but those re-signings for us are as important, if not more important because they’ve shown what they can do for us.”
– Des noted
Des Buckingham’s focus for the upcoming season extends beyond the domestic league to major continental competitions.
“Everybody wants the shield and everybody will say the same thing. I won’t. We spoke all last year and never once did we mention winning a trophy. For me winning a trophy is the cherry on top of what we ended up seeing which was the playing style, which was players being able to showcase what they can do, us providing the platform to those players to be the best they can be, and then hoping that if we can hold ourselves to the performance measures we do internally.”
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