Head coach Owen Coyle was in charge when Chennaiyin FC last qualified for the playoffs. After three years of doldrums, Marina Machans repeated the feat last season under the Scotsman again in his second stint with the club. In a close battle, the two-time ISL winners grabbed the final spot in the top six ahead of Northeast United, Punjab FC, East Bengal and Jamshedpur FC. Although the team lost to FC Goa in the eliminator phase, there was a lot of positivity to take. With a revamp of the squad in the summer and Coyle sticking onto the job, the team will be optimistic about their chances. Chennaiyin FC will aim to build on it for greater success in the 2024-25 ISL season to reclaim their glory days.
The Marina Machans begin their campaign on 14 September 2024 against Odisha FC at Bhubaneshwar. Their league opener is expected to be challenging having failed to beat Sergio Lobera’s side in the last three trips. The first home game of the season will come next weekend against promoted team Mohammedan SC. Chennaiyin FC’s next big challenge will be FC Goa at home whom they lost against by two or more goals in each last meeting last season. The game is in late October. As usual, the team will play four Southern derbies with two falling this year. Coyle’s side will travel to Kochi in November to face Kerala Blasters while they end 2024 by welcoming their other rivals Bengaluru FC in Chennai.
Important matches
Saturday 14 September 2024
Odisha FC vs Chennaiyin FC - Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar (17:00)
Thursday 24 October 2024
Chennaiyin FC vs FC Goa - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai (19:30)
Sunday 24 November 2024
Kerala Blasters FC vs Chennaiyin FC - Kaloor Stadium, Kochi (19:30)
Saturday 28 December 2024
Chennaiyin FC vs Bengaluru FC - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai (19:30)
September 2024
Saturday 14 September 2024
Odisha FC vs Chennaiyin FC - Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar (17:00)
Thursday 26 September 2024
Chennaiyin FC vs Mohammedan SC - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai (19:30)
October 2024
Tuesday, 1 October 2024
Hyderabad FC vs Chennaiyin FC - G.M.C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Hyderabad (19:30)
Thursday 17 October 2024
NorthEast United FC vs Chennaiyin FC - Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati (19:30)
Thursday 24 October 2024
Chennaiyin FC vs FC Goa - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai (19:30)
Thursday 31 October 2024
Punjab FC vs Chennaiyin FC - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi (19:30)
November 2024
Monday 4 November 2024
Jamshedpur FC vs Chennaiyin FC - JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur (19:30)
Saturday 9 November 2024
Chennaiyin FC vs Mumbai City FC - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai (17:00)
Sunday 24 November 2024
Kerala Blasters FC vs Chennaiyin FC - Kaloor Stadium, Kochi (19:30)
Saturday 30 November 2024
Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Chennaiyin FC - Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata (19:30)
December 2024
Saturday 7 December 2024
Chennaiyin FC vs East Bengal FC - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai (17:00)
Wednesday 11 December 2024
Chennaiyin FC vs Hyderabad FC - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai (19:30)
Saturday 21 December 2024
Mumbai City FC vs Chennaiyin FC - Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai (17:00)
Saturday 28 December 2024
Chennaiyin FC vs Bengaluru FC - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai (19:30)
International break fixtures
Tri-Nation Cup
9 October 2024
Vietnam vs India
12 October 2024
Lebanon vs India
