Mohammedan Sporting Club have appointed Argentine-born Spanish coach Fernando Santiago Varela as their head coach for the 2026-27 season, bringing in a figure with extensive experience in Indian club football to take charge of the Motijheel-based side.

The appointment was confirmed at a press briefing at the club's boardroom on Tuesday by director and director-in-charge Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan, with football team manager Amirul Islam Babu and other club officials also present.

A UEFA Pro Licence holder, Varela built his coaching reputation largely in India. He joined Gokulam Kerala in 2018 and led them to the Kerala Premier League title in his first season, following it up with a Durand Cup triumph the year after.

He then moved to Churchill Brothers, guiding the club to a runners-up finish in the I-League during the 2020-21 season, a campaign in which they recorded eight wins, five draws and two defeats from 15 matches.

Varela's next stop was FC Bengaluru United, where his side won 12, drew three and lost four of 19 matches, before he led the club to the Stafford Challenge Cup title in 2023. He was most recently in charge of SC de Goa in India.

Now 53, Varela arrives at Mohammedan with his impact yet to be tested in Bangladeshi football. The club have strengthened their squad significantly ahead of the new season, bringing in nine footballers from Bashundhara Kings.

The appointment marks a shift towards permanent foreign leadership for the traditional club, who parted ways with Alfaz Ahmed after he guided them to the league title towards the end of last season, with Abdul Kayum Sentu having since overseen the side on an interim basis.