FC Bengaluru United
Indian association football club based in Bangalore
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Football Club Bengaluru United is an Indian professional football club based in Bangalore, Karnataka.[1][2][3] The club currently competes in the I-League 2, the third tier of the Indian football league system. Founded in 2018,[4][5] the club mainly participated in local competitions, including the BDFA Super Division.
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| Full name | Football Club Bengaluru United | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | The Red Ramparts | |||
| Short name | FCBU | |||
| Founded | 2018 | |||
| Ground | Bangalore Football Stadium Padukone – Dravid CSE | |||
| Capacity | 8,400 250 | |||
| Owner | Gaurav Manchanda | |||
| Head coach | Nallappan Mohanraj | |||
| League | ||||
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Bengaluru United took part in the I-League 2nd Division for the first time in 2019–20 season.[6][7]
History
Bengaluru United was founded in 2018 and began playing in the BDFA Super Division for the 2018–19 season.[8] Their first match was on 25 October 2018 against Kickstart FC where they were defeated 4–2.[8] The club earned their first victory in their next match on 30 October against South United 3–0. After 13 matches, Bengaluru United finished their first season in fifth place on 23 points, 11 behind Bengaluru FC.[8] Prior to the next season, Bengaluru United signed former India international Gouramangi Singh as a first-team coach under Richard Hood.[9] The team started the Super Division 2019–20 season with a 4–1 victory over ASC.[10] This time the club finished as runners-up, behind Bengaluru FC on goal difference.[10]
In January 2020, it was announced that Bengaluru United would participate in the I-League 2nd Division,[11] India's third-tier competition.[12] The club were placed into Group C,[1] alongside ARA, FC Kerala, and the reserve teams for Indian Super League clubs Goa, Kerala Blasters, and Mumbai City.[12][13] Their first match in the national league was on 29 January 2020 against Goa at the Nagoa Ground. A goal from striker Amey Bhatkal gave Bengaluru United a 1–0 victory.[14] Despite the performance, the COVID-19 pandemic in India managed to postpone the 2nd Division season from being concluded.[15] The club were in second in the table from eight matches.[12]
In March 2021, Bengaluru United was crowned champions of the 2020–21 season of the BDFA Super Division. The club finished atop the points table with 31 points, having won 10 out of their 12 matches.[16]
"Kudos to our FC Bengaluru United boys who stayed on top of their game and remained steadfast in their commitment right through the league. Credit to all the coaches, support staff, and everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure game plans were in place, training sessions were on point, and the focus on winning was unwavering. I would also like to thank the KSFA for successfully organizing the league in what are undoubtedly unique and challenging circumstances. We had 13 teams participating and the league was extremely competitive, making it a great experience for players and those who watched the games as well!"
Ahead of the 2021–22 I-League Qualifiers, Bengaluru roped in Slovenian Luka Majcen as their third foreigner[18] after the Trinidadian duo Robert Primus and Daniel Carr.[19] They began 2021–22 season journey, with a 1–0 win against Central Reserve Police Force at the 2021 Durand Cup,[20][21][22] but the journey ended after a 4–2 defeat to Mohammedan Sporting in semi-finals.[23][24]
Bengaluru United retain the BDFA Super Division title, after winning the 2021–22 season, stacking up 13 wins and a draw.[25][26] In May 2022, the club appointed Khalid Jamil as new head coach.[27][28] In 2023, the club participated in Stafford Challenge Cup and clinched title defeating Chennaiyin FC (R) 2–1 in the final.[29][30][31] In 2022–23 I-League 2, showcasing good form, the club progressed to the championship round,[32][33][34] in which they failed to secure promotion to the I-League, finishing fourth.[35][36][37][38] In 2023–24 season of BDFA Super Division League, Bengaluru United sealed third-place finish.[39][40] The club later competed in 2023–24 I-League 2, achieved fourth place, earned 20 points and 6 wins in 14 matches.[41]
Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors
Stadium
Bengaluru United initially played its home matches[47][48] at the Bangalore Football Stadium.[49] The stadium previously had a capacity of nearly 40,000 spectators.[50][51] Opened in 1971, it currently has artificial turf.
In January 2024, the club announced to use Padukone – Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence as home venue for the I-League 2.[52]
Ownership
Rivalry
Coaching staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach |  Nallappan Mohanraj |
| Assistant coach | Sibi Kumar |
| Goalkeeping coach | Sunil Kumar HS |
| Strength and conditioning coach | Vivek P |
| Physiotherapist | Pehzaan Safarbadi |
Statistics and records
Season-by-season
- As of 26 May 2023
| Season | League | Finals | Cup | Asia | Top Scorer | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Position | Player | Goals | ||||
| 2018–19 | BDFA Super Division | 13 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 21 | 12 | 23 | 5th | — | — | — | — | |
| 2019–20 | BDFA Super Division | 13 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 23 | 7 | 26 | 3rd | — | — | — | — | |
| 2019–20 | I-League 2nd Division | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 6 | 14 | 2nd | — | — | — | Asrar Rehbar |
3 |
| 2020–21 | BDFA Super Division | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 38 | 7 | 31 | Champions | — | — | — | — | |
| 2020–21 | I-League 2nd Division | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 4th | — | — | — | — | |
| 2021–22 | BDFA Super Division | 14 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 54 | 2 | 38 | Champions | — | — | — |  Luka Majcen |
13 |
| 2022–23 | I-League 2nd Division | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 24 | 8 | 23 | 4th | — | — | — | Irfan Yadwad |
13 |
| 2023-24 | I-League 2 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 4th | — | — | — | Jerry Pulamte |
4 |
| 2024-25 | I-League 2 | |||||||||||||
Affiliated clubs
The following club is currently associated with FC Bengaluru United:
Sevilla FC (2021–present)[61][62][63][64]
Notable players
Past and present internationals
The following foreign players of Bengaluru United have been capped at senior/youth international level with their respective countries. Years in brackets indicate their spells at the club.
Robert Primus (2020–2021)[65]
William Opoku (2020–2021)[66]- Daniel Clive Carr (2021)[67]
Luka Majcen (2021)[68][69]
Mohamad Kdouh (2022–2023)[70][71]
Managerial history
D. Manivannan (2018–2019)- Richard Reginald Hood (2019–2020; 2020–2022)[72]
- Gouramangi Singh (2020)[73]
- Khalid Jamil (2022–2023)[74]
- Fernando Santiago Varela (2023)[75]
- Sankarlal Chakraborty (2023–2024)[76][77]
- Samuel Sylvester (2024)[78]
- Nallappan Mohanraj (2024–present)[79]
Partnership
In 2021, FC Bengaluru United and La Liga side Sevilla FC have formalized their agreement to collaborate for the next five years.[80] With this partnership agreement, Sevilla FC look to strengthen their presence in the Indian football market, one of the fastest growing markets in the world.[81] They will also explore opportunities to establish shared football schools. Sevilla FC will assist the Indian club in various aspects, including sports management, data analysis, talent spotting, player development and performance optimization, and the use of sports technology.[82]
For Bengaluru United, owned by Gaurav Manchanda, the agreement is intended to draw on the sporting experience of Sevilla.[80] As part of the agreement, fans will see FC Bengaluru United and their academy players in the traditional white and red colours of Sevilla from the start of the 2021–22 season at the I-League 2nd Division.[83]
Other departments
Women's team
In March 2022, FC Bengaluru United marked their foray into women's football with the launch of their Women's team for KSFA B Division League.[84] The team was launched on 8 March on Women's day and they represent the best in local talent and marks an important milestone in the growth and development of women's football in the state.
"The launch of the IWL marked an important step in the development of women's football in the country."
Youth men's
Bengaluru United has a youth men's football section, that competes primarily in the KSFA Youth League.[72] Club's academy teams usually play under three age categories, U12, U14, and U17.[72] Their U21 team participated in "south zone" qualifiers of the 2023 Reliance Foundation Development League.[85]
