Exclusive: After James, assistant coach Hermann Hreiðarsson leaves Kerala Blasters

Published at :December 19, 2018 at 1:57 AM

Modified at :December 19, 2018 at 1:57 AM

Thangboi Singto is the only remaining member of the coaching staff who were part of the Englishman's reign

Kerala Blasters parted ways with David James after the team endured a humiliating 6-1 defeat at the hands of Mumbai City FC in their recent Indian Super League fixture. Following in the path of James, the Blasters' assistant coach Hermann Hreiðarsson has also left the club, Khel Now can confirm.

Hreiðarsson joined Kerala midway through the previous season after the club appointed James as their coach. The Englishman and Hreiðarsson had played together at Portsmouth before they reunited at Kerala Blasters.

Hreiðarsson, a former Iceland international, helped Kerala secure a loan deal for Gudjon Baldvinsson from Stjarnan. The signing proved vital for the Kerala outfit as Gudjon exhibited class on the pitch.

This season, Hreiðarsson remained as the assistant coach of the club, but results did not go in Blasters' favour. With 12 games gone, the Southerners have only managed to register one victory.

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Along with James and Hreiðarsson, goalkeeping coach Rory Grand and fitness coach David Richardson have also left the club, Khel Now understands. Now, Thangboi Singto is the only remaining member of the coaching staff.

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This is not the first time that the ISL outfit have sacked their coach midway through the season. In ISL 2, they sacked Peter Taylor after six matches in-charge. In the previous season, they parted ways with Rene Meulensteen after seven games.

Kerala Blasters are on the lookout for a new head coach. Singto has been appointed as the interim coach until a new permanent coach comes in. The Blasters have been linked with a few foreign coaches and Khel Now sources suggest they are also exploring the possibility of signing an Indian coach for the remainder of the season [or sticking with Singto] though no official decision has been taken yet.