Mumbai, Sep 4 (IANS): Mumbai City Football Club Thursday announced that eminent English football manager Peter Reid will be the head coach and former footballer Steve Darby his assistant for the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) Oct 12-Dec 20.

During his highly successful career as a manager, Reid has been at the helm of affairs at top football teams that include England Under-21, Manchester City, Sunderland, Leeds United, Coventry City, Thailand and Plymouth Argyle.

“It is a great opportunity to coach in the Indian Super League. I enjoyed working overseas with Thailand and am very much looking forward to this new challenge! We have a very competitive side, Friedrich is a great signing, you don't win Germany caps by luck or play over 300 Bundesliga games!” said Reid.

Darby is recognised throughout Asia as a pundit for ESPN Star Sports and was head coach of football club Kelantan in the Malaysia Super League most recently. He has also coached in India, Bahrain, Australia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam in the past. In 2011, he was appointed manager of India giants Mohun Bagan.

“It's always good to be part of something new. A great combination of youth and experience is what every team aims for!" he said.

Darby hoped the ISL will help raise the quality of football in the country in the coming years.

“I have seen the effect the IPL has had on cricket and hopefully this will happen with football in India. India has great players. I hope this leads to further opportunities for them,” Darby added.

Talking about the Mumbai City FC Squad, Darby said: “I have worked with Nabi before at Mohun Bagan, and believe he is one of the best allround footballers I have ever worked with. I have no doubt he could play English championship level football."

Darby also had words of praise for goalkeeper Subrata Paul.

"Subrata is a top keeper and he was outstanding in the AFC Asian Cup. Bobby Houghton thought he was one of the best keepers he had worked with. I commentated on the India games at the Asian Cup and I kept saying... Great save by Subrata!" he said.