The Indian Super League saw some eye-catching changes in the off-season. Just like their English or Spanish counterparts, the coaches also play an important role in the functioning of the side. In all fairness, the league failed to keep up to the lofty standards they set in the first season in the year that followed, so football fans will hope the new transfers will help reverse the tide.

The brains behind Atletico de Kolkata's win in season one, Jose Antonio Habas, has now jumped ship to FC Pune City. Promptly keeping the Spanish influence in the club alive, former Villarreal coach Jose Molina will bark out instructions from the Salt Lake City turf. Another member from Italy's World Cup winning squad from 2006 will be on the touchline: Former Juventus and Barcelona right-back Gianluca Zambarotta will take over duties from legendary Brazilian Roberto Carlos at Delhi Dynamos. Former Manchester United winger Steve Coppell brings in a wealth of experience to resurrect things at the Sachin Tendulkar-owned Kerala Blasters.

Here are some of the important transfers ahead of the current season.

Kerala Blasters

Aaron Hughes
The Northern Ireland defender played a part for his country in the recently concluded European Championship in France. With a vast amount of English Premier League experience playing for Newcastle United and Fulham, Hughes might be the answer to fix the leaky Blasters defence.

Thongkhosiem Haokip
It is indeed surprising why FC Goa let go off the 22-year-old forward without a fight. Haokip belongs to an elite group of players who have managed to score a hat-trick in the ISL, which he managed during Goa's 7-0 demolition of FC Mumbai City last year. The wiry Manipur man is expected to infuse some much-needed pace in the Blasters' forward line.

FC Pune City

Arata Izumi
The Japanese-born forward had a superb introduction to life in the ISL, also scoring one of the best goals of the tournament. Izumi has followed coach Antonio López Habas from Atlético de Kolkata to join FC Pune City, who continue to build on their forward line.

Sanju Pradhan
One of the finest of Northeast United's home-grown talents, Pradhan will be plying his trade with FC Pune City this year. Despite being a seasoned campaigner in his own right, the midfielder was largely used as a substitute for his previous side. A new side may bring about a change in that pattern. He needs to keep a check on his temper though.

Bruno Arias
Journeyman footballer Bruno Arias is another Northeast United player making the jump to Pune. This will be the Spanish midfielder's third franchise in as many seasons and is sure to be one of the mainstays in the middle of the park.

Andre Bikey
Yet another Northeast United player who will swap white and black for Pune's orange next season, Bikey made an excellent start to his ISL career last year, despite joining only midway through the season. The Cameroonian's imposing strength proved too much for some teams, and will be a welcome addition to the side. Remember how Northeast turned a corner after Bikey came into the team?

Chennaiyin FC

Baljit Sahni
There is a lot to prove for the Punjab forward, who seldom featured for Kolkata last season despite playing a key role in the franchise's success in their first season. The manner in which Marco Materazzi has handled his Chennai squad, be it in terms of rotation or of tactics, has been spot on. Sahni may just get a new lease of life under the Italian.

Delhi Dynamos

Arjun Tudu, Rupert Nongrum and Chinglensana Singh
The Dynamos made a triple-swoop and among them are two bright talents from Shillong Lajong – Rupert and Chinglensana. Twenty-year-old midfielder Rupert has been excellent climbing the ladder through age-group football, and has been a part of the Lajong youth academy since turning a teenager. Chinglensana is a highly-rated defender. Striker Arjun scored 10 goals as he helped Services successfully defend the Santosh Trophy in 2016.

Kean Lewis
A Tata football academy graduate, Lewis has had stints with a couple of clubs in the US. Mohan Bagan snapped him up and the midfielder impressed in a couple of games.

Mumbai City FC

Jackichand Singh
The fleet-footed, diminutive winger is a delight with a ball at his feet. From Pune he jumps to cross-state rivals Mumbai City FC. Consistency should be the focus for one of the country's best prospects.

Anwar Ali
The robust defender, after two seasons with Delhi Dynamos, will be be wearing the Mumbai blue in what looks like an attempt to shore up their backline, which let in an alarmingly large number of goals.