The training session was instead led by Mumbai's assistant coach Oscar Bruzon, who was seen barking instructions for the first 30 minutes as the team got into their groove. Fitness and conditioning coach Adrian Dias then undertook team exercises with a stretching band for around 15 minutes after which the group split into two for a 4-a-side game. Anelka, all through, was quieter than the quietest Indian player.

"He (Anelka) speaks little, but observes everything and gives feedback if you do something wrong," said Mumbai's Tunisian midfielder Salim Benachour. "To be fair, it's difficult being a player and manager at the same time. I'm training as a player first," said Anelka, who previously played the role of player-manager at Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua briefly in 2012.