Mumbai City FC have announced the appointment of Ashvir Singh Johal as the club's new Head Coach for the remainder of the 2026–27 Indian Super League season. Johal, born in Leicester, England, began his footballing journey as both a player and coach at his local non-league club, Guru Nanak Gurdwara FC, before joining the Leicester City academy, where he spent ten years coaching across the youth development system with players up to the Under-18 level.

In the 2022–23 season Johal moved into senior first-team coaching as Assistant Coach to Kolo Touré at Wigan Athletic in the English Championship. He then joined Como in Italy, where he worked as Assistant Coach to Cesc Fabregas with the club's Primavera setup during the 2023–24 season. He subsequently took charge of Notts County's B team between 2024 and 2025 before being appointed Head Coach of Morecambe FC in 2025, where he became the youngest Head Coach in the top five divisions of English football. He holds the UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification awarded by UEFA.S1S2

Sujay Sharma, Director of Football at Mumbai City FC, said the club evaluated a number of candidates in a considered process against the footballing direction and requirements of the club. He said Mumbai City has built a distinct identity around an attractive, progressive and competitive brand of football, and that the club wanted a coach who shares that philosophy. Sharma acknowledged that Johal is at an early stage of his senior managerial career but said his experience, ideas, ambition and alignment with the club's philosophy made him the right choice.S1S2

Johal's coaching career has emphasised player development, coaching methodology and creating pathways for young players to progress into senior football, shaping an approach built on modern coaching principles and tactical organisation. Sharma said the club's immediate focus remains on getting the best out of the squad as Johal takes on the role.S1S2