ISL 2024-25: Kerala Blasters FC Season Review

A tough season for the Tuskers as they finished eighth in the league standings.

Indian Super League (ISL) club Kerala Blasters FC have experienced one of their worst seasons ever and are trophyless once again. Despite high hopes at the beginning of the season and the team starting a fresh campaign without their fan-favorite coach Ivan Vukomanovic, the season proved to be a nightmare. Inconsistency and poor performances along with managerial crises, led to a shameful eighth position finish in the regular season.

The club had appointed Mikael Stahre to the position of head coach at the beginning of the season in a bid to guide the team to success. However, the signs of struggle were already evident from the start of the season. The 2024-25 Durand Cup campaign ended in disappointment, but there was still hope for the ISL campaign after the tournament.

The Blasters never seemed to get things right in the league over all 24 games, and a lack of coordination and teamwork summed up their problems. While Stahre was sacked midway through the season, the club appointed interim coach T. G. Purushothaman alongside reserve team coach Tomasz Tchorz to recover the team from its ashes.

While there was a brief improvement under the new management, it failed to salvage the season. The Blasters limped towards the end of the campaign with two wins in their last nine games.

Kerala Blaster’s Performance in League

• Position at the End of the Season: 8th
• Number of Games Played Total: 24
• Victories: 8
• Drawn: 5
• Defeated: 11
• Total Goals Scored (GF): 33
• Total Goals Against (GA): 37
• Overall Points: 29

Top Performers

Korou Singh Thingujam

One of the rare positives in an otherwise disastrous season was the emergence of 18-year-old teenager, Korou Singh Thingujam. Despite the miseries of the team, the Manipuri young winger was the bright spark, who showcased talent and maturity beyond his years.

Korou, who began in the Kerala Blasters FC reserve team during the 2023-24 season, was promoted to the senior team for the current season. Apart from quickly establishing himself as one of the senior team’s reliable players, he contributed with two goals and four assists in 17 matches.

He was innovative and created 15 chances, while also carrying out 58 ball recoveries. In contrast to most of his teammates, he remained consistent for the entire season and was one of the team’s standout performers.

Jesús Jiménez

The 31-year-old Spanish forward arrived at Kerala Blasters FC with high hopes, and although the team didn’t meet expectations, Jiménez delivered on his promises. He was the club’s top scorer in the league with 11 goals and an assist in 18 matches. It was the fourth-highest scoring tally by any player in the ISL this season.

Jiménez’s finishing and decision-making proved to be the turning point for the team on many occasions. Despite Kerala’s disappointing performance, he continued to deliver the goods, sometimes carrying the offensive load on his shoulders.

His contribution was invaluable, and with his experience and goal-scoring ability, the club will be trying to tie him down for the next season as they look to rebuild once again.

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Underperformer of the Season

Sachin Suresh

Sachin Suresh, a former key member of the team, had a season to forget. The goalkeeper, who was making his return from injury, made costly mistakes throughout the season and wasn’t able to replicate his usual form. While his lack of confidence was evident, he conceded 23 goals, making this Kerala Blasters FC’s worst defensive season in club history.

Poor decision-making, inconsistency, and individual errors made by Suresh led to the team losing several games. The coaching staff ultimately lost confidence in his abilities, and he was sidelined for the latter part of the season. With his future at the club now uncertain, the Blasters might be looking for a new shot-stopper during the offseason.

Top Performances of the Season

Despite a poor overall campaign, Kerala Blasters managed to put in a few memorable performances:

Kerala Blasters FC 3-0 Chennaiyin FC

Kerala Blasters FC 1-0 Mumbai City FC

Kerala Blasters FC 3-2 Odisha FC

Managerial Report Card

Kerala Blasters FC’s coaching situation was chaotic this season. While Mikael Stahre was appointed with so much hope, his game plan failed to make an impact on the team. He was unable to mould a team as a united unit and adapt to challenging situations, thereby resulting in an early demise.

When he was sacked, interim coach T. G. Purushothaman and reserve team coach Tomasz Tchorz took over the reins. Initially, there was improvement on the pitch, but soon enough, the team resumed its incontinence ways. Although they managed to steady the ship, their efforts were not enough to salvage a catastrophic season.

The club’s management will be looking to appoint the right person ahead of next season. A proper rebuild is essential with the right man, who has a clear vision and stability in the coaching department.

Lessons Learned from the Season

Squad Depth will be essential as Kerala Blasters FC suffered whenever key players were unavailable. The lack of quality backups hurt the team, making it clear that a strong bench is necessary for a successful campaign. Also, preseason preparation will be crucial.

The team’s late preseason and last-minute signings had a major impact on their performance. Early preparations and proper recruitment will be essential moving ahead to the next season. While Blasters struggled to adjust their tactics during difficult phases, a more flexible approach and better in-game management will be key to avoiding a repeat of the 2024-25 season.

Fan’s View

The club’s fans, known for their passionate support, were left deeply frustrated by the team’s performances. The lack of direction, poor decision-making by management, and another trophyless campaign led to widespread anger among supporters.

Many fans, including the die-hard Manjappada supporters, started protesting against the management, demanding changes and a better vision for the club. As the season progressed, attendance at the stadiums dropped, with fans strongly showing their disappointment.

Despite their frustrations, the fans remain hopeful for change. They continue to support the players but have made it clear that they want improvements at all levels of the club. The protests are ongoing, and the pressure is now on the management to respond with actions rather than just words.

What’s Next for Kerala Blasters FC?

Kerala Blasters FC must make major changes ahead of the next season. A strong transfer window, a well-planned preseason, and a more strategic approach are necessary to ensure they don’t repeat this disaster class.

The club needs a manager who can instil a winning mentality, a squad with better balance, and a clear vision for the future. With fans growing impatient and boycotting games, the next season will define the club’s direction for the future.

If the management fails to act decisively, Kerala Blasters FC risks falling further behind their competitors. The upcoming months will be decisive in determining whether this is just a bad season or the beginning of a long-term decline. The ball is now in the management court.

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