I-League 2017: Mumbai FC set to shut shop?

Mumbai FC, the iconic club that had represented the Maharashtra capital in the top tier of Indian football, could be on the verge of shutting its shutters, after the club released all its players from the squad.

The Mumbai-based club was relegated from the I-League last season, after a string of poor performances, and things have not looked good for them ever since.

Now, it seems that the club management is all set to shut shop. According to a source close to the club, Mumbai FC has decided to release not just all the players, but a number of their officials as well.

“There hasn’t been any official confirmation from the club, as of yet. However, they have released all their officials and players. So it does look like they have closed down,” the source said to Sportskeeda.

While the club is said to have released all its players, there may still be a slim hope for its fan club, the Yellow Brigade. Our source reveals that the only reason why the club has still not officially made an announcement on this is that they may be looking at the prospect of selling Mumbai FC.

“It might also be about their brand value. Closing down the club will depreciate their brand value quite a bit,” said the source. “So that might be one of the reasons they are holding out on this. If they are looking to sell the club, such a move would not be wise.”

Mumbai FC, which played its home games at the Cooperage Stadium in the city, had been a part of I-League, the top tier of Indian football, for nine seasons. Their iconic former coach Khalid Jamil had risen to fame at the club, as he steered the club clear of relegation for seven seasons.

However, he parted ways with Mumbai FC in 2016 and went on to join Aizawl FC, where he became the first coach to win the I-League with a team from the Northeastern region of the country. Sadly, that was the very season (2016/17), when Mumbai FC finished bottom of the league and got relegated.