List of all Kerala Blasters FC coaches & their performance: ISL

Several coaches have tried their luck but Kerala Blasters are yet to win a trophy.

Kerala Blasters FC, one of the most passionately supported teams in the Indian Super League (ISL), is defined by frequent managerial changes and inconsistency. Despite being among the league’s most popular teams, the Blasters have struggled to achieve consistent success.

They hold the record for the highest number of coaching changes in ISL history, often parting ways with coaches before a season concludes. Below is a detailed review of each coach’s tenure, highlighting their performance, key signings, and overall impact on the team.

David James (August 2014 – December 2014 & January 2018-December 2018)

• Matches: 41
• Won: 12
• Drawn: 13
• Lost: 16
• Average Points Per Match: 1.20
• Best Finish: Runners-up (2014)
• Worst Finish: 9th in the league table(2018-19)
• Best Signing: Iain Hume
• Biggest Signing: Iain Hume
• Worst Signing: Erwin Spitzner
• Best Performing Foreigner: Iain Hume
• Best Performing Indian: Sandesh Jhingan

David James led the team during their debut season, guiding them to the finals. His team was defensively solid, conceding only 15 goals in 17 matches.

The acquisition of Canadian striker Iain Hume proved instrumental, while Sandesh Jhingan emerged as a reliable defensive talent. James’ second stint was a step backward, with the team finishing 9th.

Peter Taylor (May 2015 – October 2015)

• Matches: 6
• Won: 1
• Drawn: 1
• Lost: 4
• Average Points Per Match: 0.67
• Best Finish: Bottom of the league (2015)
• Worst Finish: Bottom of the league
• Best Signing: Chris Dagnall
• Biggest Signing: Chris Dagnall
• Worst Signing: Carlos Marchena
• Best Performing Foreigner: Chris Dagnall
• Best Performing Indian: Mohammed Rafi

Taylor’s brief tenure ended with poor performances and the team finishing last. The marquee signing, Carlos Marchena, failed to make an impact, playing only one match.

Terry Phelan (November 2015 – December 2015)

• Matches: 7
• Won: 2
• Drawn: 2
• Lost: 3
• Average Points Per Match: 1.14
• Best Finish: Bottom of the league
• Worst Finish: Bottom of the league
• Best Signing: None notable
• Biggest Signing: None notable
• Worst Signing: None notable
• Best Performing Foreigner: None notable
• Best Performing Indian: None notable

Phelan failed to reverse the Blaster’s fortunes, leaving the team rooted at the bottom.

Steve Coppell (June 2016 – July 2017)

• Matches: 17
• Won: 7
• Drawn: 4
• Lost: 6
• Average Points Per Match: 1.53
• Best Finish: Runners-up (2016)
• Worst Finish: 2nd in the table
• Best Signing: Aaron Hughes
• Biggest Signing: Aaron Hughes
• Worst Signing: Elhadji Ndoye
• Best Performing Foreigner: Aaron Hughes
• Best Performing Indian: CK Vineeth

Coppell’s tenure saw the Blasters reach the finals in 2016, their second appearance. His defensive tactics brought stability to the team, with Hughes and Vineeth playing key roles.

René Meulensteen (July 2017 – January 2018)

• Matches: 7
• Won: 1
• Drawn: 4
• Lost: 2
• Average Points Per Match: 1.00
• Best Finish: 6th in the league
• Worst Finish: 6th in the league
• Best Signing: Mark Sifneos
• Biggest Signing: Dimitar Berbatov
• Worst Signing: Dimitar Berbatov
• Best Performing Foreigner: Mark Sifneos
• Best Performing Indian: Sandesh Jhingan

Meulensteen’s term was disappointing, with marquee signing Berbatov failing to deliver on expectations.

Nelo Vingada (Interim, January 2019 – March 2019)

• Matches: 7
• Won: 1
• Drawn: 3
• Lost: 3
• Average Points Per Match: 0.86
• Best Finish: 9th in the league
• Worst Finish: 9th in the league

Vingada’s interim tenure was lacklustre, with no significant progress made.

Eelco Schattorie (May 2019 – April 2020)

• Matches: 18
• Won: 4
• Drawn: 7
• Lost: 7
• Average Points Per Match: 1.00
• Best Finish: 7th in the league
• Worst Finish: 7th in the league
• Best Signing: Bartholomew Ogbeche
• Biggest Signing: Bartholomew Ogbeche
• Worst Signing: Bilal Khan
• Best Performing Foreigner: Bartholomew Ogbeche
• Best Performing Indian: Jessel Carneiro

Schattorie brought in Ogbeche, who delivered standout performances despite the team’s struggles.

Kibu Vicuña (April 2020 – February 2021)

• Matches: 18
• Won: 3
• Drawn: 7
• Lost: 8
• Average Points Per Match: 0.83
• Best Finish: 10th in the league
• Worst Finish: 10th in the league
• Best Signing: Gary Hooper
• Biggest Signing: Gary Hooper
• Worst Signing: Bakary Kone
• Best Performing Foreigner: Gary Hooper
• Best Performing Indian: Rahul KP

Under Vicuña, the Blasters oversaw one of the club’s worst seasons, finishing 10th.

Ivan Vukomanović (June 2021 – April 2024)

• Matches: 76
• Won: 33
• Drawn: 14
• Lost: 29
• Average Points Per Match: 1.58
• Best Finish: Runners-up (2022)
• Worst Finish: 5th in the league
• Best Signing: Adrian Luna
• Biggest Signing: Álvaro Vázquez
• Worst Signing: Chencho Gyeltshen
• Best Performing Foreigner: Adrian Luna
• Best Performing Indian: Sahal Abdul Samad

Vukomanović revitalized the Blasters, leading them to three consecutive playoffs and a finals appearance.

Mikael Stahre (May 2024 – December 2024)

• Matches: 16
• Won: 5
• Drawn: 3
• Lost: 8
• Average Points Per Match: 1.06
• Best Finish: N/A (Sacked mid-season)
• Worst Finish: N/A (Sacked mid-season)
• Best Signing: Jesús Jiménez
• Biggest Signing: Jesús Jiménez
• Worst Signing: Alexandre Coeff
• Best Performing Foreigner: Jesús Jiménez
• Best Performing Indian: Korou Singh Thingujam

Stahre’s mixed start led to his dismissal, and interim coach T.G. Purushothaman now leads the team.

Kerala Blasters FC’s count of coaches underlines their struggle for stability and success. While several coaches have shown promise, the lack of trophies continues to weigh heavily on the club and its fanbase.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.