Belgian Olympian Philippe Goldberg has been appointed as the new head coach of Soorma Hockey Club ahead of the second season of the Hockey India League (HIL), the franchise announced on Friday. The move marks a significant strategic upgrade for the team, which finished third in an impressive debut campaign last year.
Goldberg, a European Championship medallist and former coach of Belgium’s U21 and senior national sides, played a pivotal role in shaping his country’s transformation into a global hockey powerhouse. He brings a wealth of experience and a reputation for combining tactical discipline with attacking flair — qualities that Soorma hopes will elevate its performance in the upcoming season.
“Joining Soorma Hockey Club is an exciting opportunity to contribute to India’s evolving hockey landscape,” Goldberg said in a club release. “The team has laid a strong foundation, and my goal is to enhance it with a strategic framework that encourages discipline, creativity, and sustained performance. Together, we’ll build a brand of hockey that’s bold, intelligent, and unmistakably Soorma.”
Joining Goldberg in the revamped coaching setup is Argentine Olympian Ignacio Ricardo Bergner, who takes on the role of Analytical Coach. Bergner, who has represented Argentina at the Olympics and later coached both its senior men’s and women’s teams (Las Leonas), also worked with Belgium during its 2016 World Cup runner-up and 2017 European Championship campaigns.
The club confirmed that its current head coach, Jeroen Baart, will transition into an advisory role, continuing to assist with strategy and technical planning throughout the season.
Soorma’s Technical Director, Arjun Halappa, hailed the appointments as a major step forward for the franchise. “The addition of Philippe and Ignacio marks a significant step in our journey as a team. Philippe’s approach to building structured hockey teams that express themselves aligns perfectly with our playing philosophy,” Halappa said. “Ignacio’s analytical depth will elevate our match preparation and tactical execution. With this combination of experience and innovation, we’re looking forward to taking Soorma Hockey Club to greater heights in the upcoming season.”
Led by Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh, Soorma Hockey Club has retained the core of its squad from last season and will open its 2026 campaign against defending champions Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers on January 4 in Chennai. With Goldberg and Bergner at the helm, the team will look to transform its promising start into a championship run.
