In February 2019, it was reported that Indian Super League side FC Pune City were struggling financially and that their owners were looking to sell the club. [4] The club reportedly were behind on paying players and had also attempted to discuss merging with local rivals Mumbai City. [4] After the 2018–19 season, Pune City released all their players and participated in the Super Cup using academy players. [5]
On 26 August 2019, it was reported that Pune City had disbanded and that the former Kerala Blasters CEO Varun Tripuraneni had bought a majority stake in the club. [6] Neither then Pune City CEO Gaurav Modwel or Tripuraneni confirmed the reports. However, the next day, on 27 August 2019, it was announced that Hyderabad FC would replace Pune City for the 2019–20 season, with Tripuraneni and businessman Vijay Madduri buying the ownership rights to the team. [7] The club's branding and first kits were then revealed prior to their first season on 29 September 2019. [8]
On 2 September 2024, Jindal Football Pvt. Ltd., under the ambit of the BC Jindal Group, announced the acquisition of the sporting license of the club. [9] In October 2025, the club announced shifting its base from Hyderabad to New Delhi. The club is also rebranded as Sporting Club Delhi. [10] The rebranded club played its first match in the 2025–26 AIFF Super Cup. [11]
As Hyderabad
Inaugural season
On 29 August 2019, it was announced that Phil Brown, the last head coach of Pune City, would be the first head coach for Hyderabad. [12] In late September, just before the start of the 2019–20 season, it was revealed that Hyderabad had signed almost every player from Pune City's final squad. [13]
The club played their first ever match on 25 October 2019 against ATK at the Salt Lake Stadium. They were defeated 0–5 in a match which Brown described as "not our usual standards". [14] Hyderabad then succumbed to defeat again in their second match against Jamshedpur. Marcelinho scored the first goal for the club's history but could not prevent his side's 1–3 defeat. [15] The club finally earned their first victory in their third match on 2 November 2019 against the Kerala Blasters. This was also Hyderabad's first home match. Goals from Marko Stanković and Marcelinho helped Hyderabad to a 2–1 victory. [16]
On 11 January 2020, with the club in last place in the table, with just one victory and two draws from 12 matches, Brown and the club decided to part ways. [17] Former India international Mehrajuddin Wadoo took over as caretaker for one match before assistant coach Xavier Gurri López became interim coach for the rest of the season. [18] [19] The club finished their season with a 5–1 victory over NorthEast United on 20 February 2020. [20] Overall, the club finished the season in last place and failed to qualify for the ISL playoffs. [21]
2020–21 season
Ahead of the 2020–21 Indian Super League season, Hyderabad appointed Manolo Márquez as their head coach [22] after Albert Roca mutually parted ways with the club when he was approached by FC Barcelona to become their fitness coach. [23]
Hyderabad FC began their second competitive season on 23 November with a win against Odisha FC. [24] After struggling early in the season, the team made a decent comeback, as they had an unbeaten run which lasted for 12 matches. They managed to get 29 points from 20 games, which includes six wins, three losses and eleven draws. Their last game against FC Goa became crucial for them as they needed a win to qualify into the playoffs. After having a goalless draw against Goa, Hyderabad narrowly missed the play-offs as they finished 5th in the league table. [25] [26]
2021–22 season
In their third season of the Indian Super League, Hyderabad FC won their maiden cup title on March 20, 2022 in Margao, Goa. They beat Kerala Blasters 3-1 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 after extra time.
Hyderabad FC goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani saved four penalties in the shootout, including one that was retaken after being saved initially. [27]
2022–23 season
In their fourth season of the Indian Super League, Hyderabad FC finished 2nd in the table to directly qualify for the Semi-Final and avoiding Knockout match. [28] They went on to lose to ATK Mohun Bagan in a 2 legged semifinal.
2023–24 season
Ahead of the 2023–24 Indian Super League season, Hyderabad appointed Conor Nestor as their first team coach who will become their head coach once he acquires his UEFA Pro License, after Manolo Márquez mutually parted ways with the club. Until then, Thangboi Singto will act as the head coach and Shameel Chembakath will act as his assistant. [29]
The club also confirmed the departures of Odei Onaindia, Borja Herrera, Akash Mishra, Joel Chianese, Halicharan Narzary and Javier Siverio. Afterwards, Jonathan Moya, Joe Knowles, Petteri Pennanen and Felipe Amorim became the high profile incomings. [30]
On 3 May 2023, Mohun Bagan SG were confirmed 2023–24 AFC Cup preliminary round slot after a 3–1 win via penalties over Hyderabad FC. In their 3rd appearance in the Durand Cup group stages, they finished second in group E, behind Chennaiyin FC, and above Delhi FC and Tribhuvan Army. They beat Tribhuvan Army 3–0, lost to Chennaiyin 1-3 and drew with Delhi FC 1-1 in their campaign. [31] They finished 5th out of the six 2nd placed teams and hence, couldn't qualify for the knockout stage. [32]
