"Unclear strategies & silence surrounding critical issues," - Manjappada fans demand answers from KBFC management ahead of season

Fans from Kerala are not happy with Kerala Blasters’ management.

The anticipation for the 11th season of the Indian Super League (ISL) is high as it begins on September 13th, just a couple of weeks away. Manjappada fans are not happy with Kerala Blasters’ management. However, Kerala Blasters FC is dealing with increasing dissatisfaction, not from rivals, but from their ranks, especially the Manjappada, one of the largest fanbases in Asia. They have expressed increasing worries about the club’s management, or the lack thereof, as the new season approaches.

A Troubling Pre-Season

Kerala Blasters’ performance in the recent 2024 Durand Cup added to the fan’s frustration. Although they started well and finished as group champions, the team lost in the quarterfinals to Bengaluru FC, which exposed the team’s continuing issues. The disappointing performance in the knockout rounds has only deepened the fan’s concerns.

Certain longstanding problems that haven’t been fixed again have sown further discord amidst the Tuskers faithful. The team is still trying to find a replacement for Dimitrios Diamantakos, and they haven’t made important new signings e.g., getting an Indian player for a position that was susceptible for the entirety of last season. The club has created even more disarray as no main sponsor for the season has been appointed and no season ticket details have been announced so far.

Message from Manjappada

The ISL starts on September 13th, and the Blasters will play their first match on 15th September. The club needs to get organized quickly. In reaction to this, Manjappada has issued a strong statement expressing their disappointment regarding the club’s management.

This message shows the strong connection between the fans and the club, but it also highlights the increasing growth of frustration among the supporters, who are pushing for the club’s leaders to be more open about their decisions. The fans are hopeful of clear and effective actions from the club’s management and have penned a letter addressing the same:

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗷𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. pic.twitter.com/ioHWElFMQ1

— Manjappada (@kbfc_manjappada) August 29, 2024

The Road Ahead

The passionate supporters of Kerala Blasters made their voices heard once again. For over a decade, Manjappada has unconditionally backed the team through every victory and defeat, never losing faith even in the most challenging of times.

Their call now is for the leadership to demonstrate comparable loyalty by laying out a concrete plan to take the club forward with tangible upgrades and a well-defined vision for long-term competitiveness. Seeking more than just words of gratitude, the legions of diehard fans demand reassurance through actions.

They expect those guiding the organization to share the same unrelenting drive to bring a title to Kochi as the supporters in the stands do.

The influence of Manjappada and the discontent among fans cannot be underestimated. Their passionate call for action highlights the urgent need for Kerala Blasters to address the pressing issues and re-engage their fanbase.

The Blasters have a loyal and passionate following that expects nothing less than commitment and action from their team. If the club can address these issues head-on, they might yet turn the season around and satisfy their dedicated fanbase.

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