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Xtra Time Web Desk: The I-League is still a few months away from starting, but Inter Kashi has already made a surprise move. The club has appointed former Mohun Bagan coach Antonio Lopez Habas as their new coach. Inter Kashi, which played in the I-League for the first time last season, is gearing up for the new season with a strong start by bringing in Habas before the beginning of the second season. He will take charge after the Durand Cup.

Habas was the coach of Mohun Bagan during the second half of the previous season. He led the green-and-maroon brigade to win the ISL League Shield midway through the season. He also has two ISL titles to his name. However, his association with Mohun Bagan ended at the end of the season. He has been replaced by another Spanish coach, José Molina. Now, Habas begins his new journey with Inter Kashi, the first professional club from Uttar Pradesh to play in the I-League. Last season, they finished in fourth place in the league.

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There were rumors about his name being in the running for an Indian coaching role. However, he ultimately left the ISL stage and returned to India with a two-year contract with the I-League club. Inter Kashi also has agreements with Spain's Atletico Madrid, Andorra's Inter Escaldes, and FC Andorra. The team has announced that they are bringing in Habas to showcase Indian talent on the European stage.

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Habas himself is quite excited about taking on the role at Inter Kashi. He said, “Uttar Pradesh has a lot of talent. I am pleased to be involved in the overall development of football in the state with Inter Kashi. Our main goal is to play in the ISL next year. When a club competes for the highest level of Indian football, it also improves the football ecosystem.”