Eelco Schattorie Leaves Kerela Blasters, As Kibu Vicuna Becomes New Coach

Kerala Blasters Dutch coach Eelco Schattorie has been relieved of his job as the coach of the side after a below par 2019/2020 season in the India Super League.

The Dutchman was sacked on the 22nd of April after managing just 4 wins from 18 matches played, accumulating 19 points to end the season on 7th position.

The club issued a statement to this effect via its official Twitter handle.

“Kerala Blasters FC have parted ways with the Head Coach, Eelco Schattorie. We’d like to thank Eelco for his efforts and services during his tenure and wish him the best for the future,” the Kerala Blasters posted.

It means that the manager spent only one season at the club, after he was brought in at the start of the just concluded season and even managing a decent start to the campaign with a win against Atletico De Kolkota but had to wait till 8 games after before recording another win.

Injuries in the team sabotaged the plans and ideas of the manager but four wins in 18 games played failed to impress the club’s management in order to let him continue for another season.

Meanwhile, the club has since appointed I-League winning coach with Mohun Bagan, Kibu Vicuna as Kerala Blasters’ next manager.

The club also made the announcement via its Twitter handle.

Vicuna comes in to the Kochi club with massive experience from Spain with Osasuna and Poland with Legia Warsaw as well as Lech Poznan.

He led Kolkota giants Bagan to its first title in 5 years in exceptional fashion as the team won the league with four round of matches to go and 16 points difference from second placed East Bengal.

However, Bagan had to wait for the all India Football Federation decision on the 2019-20 I-League season which was forced to a suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic and the AIFF ratified the decision of the league committee to end the season and hand the club the championship.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu