TG Purushothaman and Kerala Blasters FC end ISL season with disappointment, set sights on Super Cup 2025

The Tuskers will be keen to clinch some silverware this season.

Indian Super League (ISL) club Kerala Blasters FC’s 2024-25 season ended disappointingly as they drew their final campaign match against young and struggling Hyderabad FC. The game remained goalless over the 90 minutes to separate the teams, resulting in only a single point for the Blasters.

It was a disappointing end to an already struggling season for the team, and it is one of the most frustrating seasons in recent memory. Nevertheless, despite the poor finish, the club will now focus on Super Cup 2025 and trying to win the title.

The Super Cup will be a significant tournament for Kerala Blasters and the club’s interim head coach, T. G. Purushothaman, who wasted no time in highlighting its importance. With the Super Cup set to take place in Bhubaneswar on April 21, Kerala’s rebuilding process has started in full swing as the team looks to perform better than their below-par ISL season. Even as the conclusion of the league campaign was much sought after, there is a second chance for a victorious comeback in the form of the Super Cup.

A season to forget

The 2024-25 ISL season was not good enough for Kerala Blasters. Despite efforts on behalf of the club to bring in quality foreign acquisitions and develop a well-marshalled unit, the side experienced an unimpressive season. With no victory in their final few games to qualify for the playoffs, the Blasters’ hopes of reaching the playoffs were crushed well before the final whistle against Hyderabad FC. The outcome was a crushing blow for a team with such a passionate following.

After the match, Purushothaman talked of disappointment but stressed that his side should look ahead. He stated, “Unfortunately, we did not make it to the playoffs. That is extremely disappointing for us. We did not return anything to the fans, which is also a tough situation. So, let us hopefully see what comes next.”

This season was disappointing for the team’s players and coaching staff and also a time of introspection for the management. The club has been under fire from fans and pundits for their inability to perform under pressure, but now the focus is shifting towards the future and Super Cup.

Super Cup 2025: Kerala Blasters FC’s new target

Despite the bitterness of their ISL exit, Purushothaman is optimistic about the club’s prospects in the Super Cup. He mentioned, “That is a huge tournament for us. A very, very big tournament. We have to prepare very well, and we have to be very strong. We have to give our fans, our management, and our club a good result from that. Hopefully, we will get it.”

The Super Cup offers the Tuskers a chance to redeem themselves in the eyes of their ardent supporters. Purushothaman’s words witness the seriousness and urgency of the team approaching the tournament. The Blasters will have to channel their frustration throughout the ISL season and transform it into fuel to perform better in the Super Cup.

Although the Blaster’s games this year have not been perfect, they possess a team of talented players. For the fans who have watched their team struggle recently, the Super Cup presents an opportunity for the team to win at least some silverware and restore pride and success.

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Rebuilding the image of the Indian coaches

One of the biggest questions about Kerala Blasters is how they will rebuild after such a disastrous ISL season. The club has traditionally been criticized for lacking a long-term vision. When asked about rebuilding the club, Purushothaman admitted that the management would be held accountable for charting the future direction.

He stated, “Our management will consider everything accordingly, make an excellent assessment, and do the required things. I hope so.” The transfer policy, scouting, and coach appointments of Kerala Blasters will all come under the microscope as it prepares for the next tournament. Supporters will be eager to know whether the club can learn lessons from past mistakes and build a stronger team.

Despite the worst of Kerala Blasters, one heartening aspect of the season was the growing contribution of Indian coaches to the ISL. With four Indian head coaches leading the teams this season, there is palpably a change in the league’s attitude towards domestic coaching talent.

Purushothaman, the Indian coach, who will also be in control this season, was optimistic regarding the future of Indian coaching. He stated, “It is going very well and gradually building up. A lot of quality coaches are there in our nation. If they get the chance, they will bring up flying colours, and hopefully, we will change the entire scenario. The coaching will definitely improve.”

For Kerala Blasters, Purushothaman’s leadership, which was good in an interim role, has helped to introduce a measure of stability despite a season of chaos. While the results might not have been ideal, his impact on shaping the team and providing opportunities for young Indian talent has been a bright spot in the campaign.

Harsh lessons from the ISL campaign

Kerala Blasters FC’s poor showing this season reminds them that they need to approach things more systematically in the future. Whether it is recruitment, strategy, or depth in the team, the club must reassess many areas to ensure they do not experience another disappointing campaign.

Purushothaman spoke about his experience as interim head coach, referencing the teamwork effort of his coaching staff. He stated, “Yeah, it is not only me. We have four coaching staff, and we work together for this. When the club was in a dangerous situation, we stood up. That is the job of a coach or anyone who belongs to the club: to keep up that spirit and work for the club, not for ourselves, and sacrifice anything for the club to make it better. We did it.”

Though disappointed, Purushothaman’s words indicate that the club wants to turn things around. The Super Cup is the real opportunity, and what they do in Bhubaneswar will indicate their rebuilding narrative as they look ahead to the next ISL season.

Looking ahead to Super Cup 2025

Kerala Blasters’ elimination from the ISL playoffs is a bitter pill, but their campaign is far from over. The Super Cup 2025 is a fresh challenge and a chance to end on a high. While the team has declined this season, there is a sign of a new start.

Fans will expect the club to go full throttle for the next several months by signing the right players and, most importantly, ensuring they don’t make the same mistakes that occurred this disappointing ISL season.

For now, the Blasters will have to put behind the disappointment of the ISL and channel their energies into preparation for the Super Cup. With the new additions and a mix of experienced players and young talents, the team has the potential to turn the page and give their fans the victory they deserve.

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