Full timeline of Ivan Vukomanovic’s Kerala Blasters reign

Ivan Vukomanic’s name as manager will be remembered in the Kerala Blasters’ history for his impressive performances.

Kerala Blasters recently announced that they’ve parted ways with Ivan Vukomanovic. The 46-year-old has decided to vacate his role as their head coach after working with the club for three years. Vukomanovic’s tenure as the Tuskers boss was a memorable one and packed with dramatic moments that will be cherished by the fans forever.

He had a pretty impressive track record in the Indian Super League (ISL), guiding his side to three consecutive ISL playoffs. He also had a decent 43.42% win rate in the 76 matches that he took charge of as Kerala Blasters head coach and left a glowing impression on the fans despite not being able to guide them to any trophy. Here we look at the complete timeline of Vukomanovic’s memorable reign as the Tuskers’ boss.

17 June, 2021

Kerala Blasters confirmed the appointment of Ivan Vukomanovic as their new head coach. That came after they endured a troublesome 2020-21 ISL season, finishing in 10th place and Kibu Vicuna being sacked as the head coach in February 2021.

11 September, 2021

The Tuskers won their first official match under Vukomanovic in the 2021 Durand Cup. It was a 1-0 win over the Indian Navy side – even though they would go on to be eliminated from the competition in the group stages itself.

5 December, 2021

Kerala Blasters’ first win in the ISL in the Vukomanovic was in their 2-1 win over Odisha FC. It ended a three-game winless run that the Tuskers were stuck in the first few weeks of the 2021/22 ISL season.

19 December, 2021

Kerala’s first major win under the Yugoslavian boss was in a huge 3-0 win over defending champions Mumbai City FC, with summer signings Alvaro Vazquez and Jorge Pereyra Diaz both getting on the scoresheet.

2 March, 2022

Vukomanovic got the better of Mumbai City again in the huge penultimate match of the league stages. Kerala Blasters picked up a 3-1 win over the Islanders, a match that sealed their place in the ISL playoffs.

15 March, 2022

After beating league champions Jamshedpur FC in the first leg, Kerala Blasters had a huge chance to move into the 2021-22 ISL final. Vukomanovic ensured that they held their nerve and sealed a 1-1 draw, helping them win on aggregate and move into their first ISL final since 2015.

Kerala would, of course, suffer a cruel loss in the penalty shoot-out to Hyderabad FC in the final, capping off an impressive campaign in bitter fashion.

4 April, 2022

Ivan Vukomanovic became the first Kerala Blasters head coach ever to receive a contract extension, as the club gave him a three-year contract extension until 2025.

7 October, 2022

Kerala Blasters played their first match at a packed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi after the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions were lifted.

In their first game under Vukomanovic at the stadium, the Tuskers picked up a dominant 3-1 win over East Bengal.

5 November, 2022

Kerala Blasters end a three-match losing streak with a decisive 3-0 thrashing of NorthEast United away from home. That marked the beginning of a five-match winning streak and an eight-match unbeaten run in the ISL.

11 December, 2022

Vukomanovic guided Kerala Blasters to their first win over arch-rivals Bengaluru FC in his reign. In a five-goal thriller, the Tuskers came back from being 1-0 down to scrap out a thrilling 3-2 win and earn bragging rights for their fans.

3 March, 2023

Kerala Blasters met Bengaluru FC once again, that time in the ISL playoffs knockout game. They came into this game at the back of a three-game losing streak and the grueling match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru is forced into extra-time.

Then, in the 96th minute, Sunil Chhetri scored a controversial goal from a free-kick when the Kerala Blasters were still organizing their defensive wall.

Referee Crystal John allowed it, resulting in Vukomanovic losing his temper and urging his players to leave the field of play. Even after ISL officials approached Vukomanovic in the dressing room urging him to take his team back, he refused to do so and Bengaluru were awarded the win.

31 March, 2023

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) disciplinary committee brought the hammer down on Kerala Blasters and Ivan Vukomanovic for ‘bringing disrepute to the game’ by leaving the field against Bengaluru FC. Kerala Blasters were imposed a 4 crore fine, while Vukomanovic received a historic 10-match ban and also a fine of 5 lakh.

2 April, 2023

Ivan Vukomanovic issued an apology for his actions against Bengaluru FC as demanded by the AIFF, ensuring that his fine wasn’t raised to 10 lakh.

16 April, 2023

A heated ‘rematch’ between Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters took place in the Super Cup group stages in Kozhikode. However, both teams canceled each other out with a 1-1 draw, with the Tuskers being eliminated in the group stages.

2 June, 2023

The AIFF’s Appeal Committee rejected the appeals of Vukomanovic and Kerala Blasters to bring down their fine and suspension. Vukomanovic was forced to see out his entire 10-match suspension and pay the 5 lakh fine too.

27 October, 2023

The Tuskers picked up a 2-1 win over a strong Odisha FC in their fifth match of the 2023/24 ISL season. It also marked the return of Vukomanovic after serving out his 10-match suspension.

29 November, 2023

Kerala Blasters played out a thrilling 3-3 draw against Chennaiyin FC. After the match, Vukomanovic lambasted the quality of the refereeing, claiming they didn’t know how to react.

11 December, 2023

Vukomanovic was again handed a one-match suspension and a fine of ₹50,000 for the comments he made against the referees against Chennaiyin FC. He missed the 1-0 win over Punjab FC a few days after that.

27 December, 2023

Kerala Blasters picked up a 1-0 win over Mohun Bagan at the Salt Lake Stadium, marking their first win over the Mariners in their history. As a result, they also went to the AFC Asian Cup break as one of the leading candidates to win the 2023-24 ISL Shield title.

25 February, 2024

Vukomanovic was able to help Kerala Blasters end their three-game losing run in the ISL to pick up a big 4-2 win over FC Goa. That marked his final win at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as the Kerala Blasters’ head coach and also helped take them one step closer to qualifying for the ISL playoffs.

12 April, 2024

Kerala Blasters picked up a 3-1 win over Hyderabad FC in their final match of the 2023-24 ISL league stages. This also resulted in their final win in the Ivan Vukomanovic era.

19 April, 2024

Vukomanovic managed his final game in charge of Kerala Blasters. The Tuskers put up a brave fight against Odisha FC, taking a lead and holding it until the 87th minute when Diego Marucio equalized and forced extra time. Isak Vanlalruetfela scored the winner in extra time, knocking the Tuskers out of the ISL playoffs.

April 26, 2024

A week after their loss in the ISL playoffs, Kerala Blasters announced that they had parted ways with Ivan Vukomanovic as their head coach.

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