'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Pro Kabaddi 2024's Pune leg started on Tuesday (December 3). Local franchise Puneri Paltan was in action on the first night at the Badminton Hall in Balewadi Sports Complex, and they ended up suffering an embarrassing defeat at the hands of arch-rivals U Mumba in the Maha Derby.
Just 24 hours after the loss against U Mumba, Puneri Paltan announced via an Instagram post that head coach BC Ramesh has stepped away from his position. Ramesh, who guided Pune to their maiden Pro Kabaddi trophy last season, has moved to the franchise's advisory team now.
It is pertinent to note that Puneri Paltan are still alive in the race to the playoffs, and they have six more matches to go. Here's a list of five former Pro Kabaddi League stars whom Pune can sign as their next head coach.
Trending
#1 Anup Kumar can return to Puneri Paltan in Pro Kabaddi 2024
India's Kabaddi World Cup-winning captain Anup Kumar played an integral role in developing the current Puneri Paltan squad. He was the coach of Pune in Season 8, where the likes of Aslam Inamdar and Mohit Goyat announced their arrival in the tournament.
Kumar hasn't been associated with any PKL franchise in recent seasons. Perhaps, Pune can approach him to become their head coach for the remainder of the season now.
#2 Jeeva Kumar
Anup Kumar's former U Mumba teammate Jeeva Kumar is working as the assistant coach of Puneri Paltan right now in Pro Kabaddi 2024. In case the Puneri Paltan team management does not want to hunt for a new name midway during the tournament, they can promote Jeeva to the head coach's position.
Jeeva is a veteran of the Pro Kabaddi League. He has a decent amount of experience in coaching as well, having worked as the defense coach of U Mumba in the past.
#3 Vishal Mane
Another former U Mumba defender to feature on the list is Vishal Mane. He was a part of the Marathi coverage panel for the broadcasters in Pro Kabaddi League 2024, but the Marathi coverage has stopped now.
Since Vishal has followed PKL 2024 so closely, he can be a valuable addition to the Puneri Paltan coaching setup. With his Marathi connection, Vishal can become a popular name if Paltan perform well in Pune.
#4 Rakesh Kumar
Former Indian kabaddi captain Rakesh Kumar was one of the best players of his era. He has captained Patna Pirates in PKL, and has also coached the Haryana Steelers team.
With so much experience under his belt, Rakesh can be a welcome addition to the Puneri Paltan backroom staff. He is known for his calmness, and that is what the Pune franchise needs the most amid all the chaos.
#5 Rohit Kumar
Like Jeeva Kumar, Rohit Kumar is present in the Puneri Paltan backroom staff as an assistant coach for Pro Kabaddi 2024. Rohit is a former PKL trophy-winning captain.
He knows how to marshal his troops and execute the strategies to perfection. Having worked with Pune as an assistant coach so far, Rohit can be promoted to the head coach's role.
