CFC coach Clifford Miranda says new signings have a point to prove ahead of ISL season

Chennaiyin FC head coach Clifford Miranda told The Hindu on September 27, 2026 that the club has signed younger players eager to prove themselves ahead of the upcoming Indian Super League season, after the management backed him with a number of new signings despite last season’s lowly finish.

Miranda said he is likely to be under close scrutiny as the campaign approaches and pointed to the squad overhaul undertaken by the club. He noted the club endured a dismal show in the last edition, when CFC finished 13th among 14 teams, and added that the management supported him with plenty of incomings. Miranda also expressed belief that the new-look squad will be able to challenge the usual heavyweights. "We had a lot of problems last season, but we tried to play well. The idea was to sign younger players to reduce the average age," the chief coach told The Hindu.

"We consciously took the decision to recruit promising young players, which will benefit the club in the long term. I want the team to play a certain way with and without the ball. It is going to require players who are eager to prove a point. We have players who are on that border... those who are yet to fully establish themselves [at this level]," Miranda said.

On the physical and tactical demands he expects from the squad, Miranda stressed intensity across matches as non-negotiable. "Football is won and lost in phases. With the quality that we have, I want us to fight and dominate the ball. At the same time, I want to see us run. It is one of the factors that led to us finishing where we did last season. You cannot win football matches if you do not run," said the manager.

The 'Marina Arena' awaits as Chennaiyin prepare for the upcoming Indian Super League season. Miranda has said the rebuilt squad contains the younger, hungry players he believes are necessary to change the club's fortunes.