Reports are pouring in that the Kerala Blasters manager David James has been sacked.
Kerala Blasters are eighth in the league table this season and with half of the season already complete, they only have a theoretical chance of qualifying for the playoffs. Under David James’ leadership, they’ve managed one win in 12 games.
The former Liverpool and Manchester City goalkeeper was heavily criticised for his tactics, substitutions and had a ‘tinkerman’ approach to his squad and never really had a settled playing XI. He usually never used the full quota of foreign players allowed on the pitch and the quality of Kerala’s play suffered as a result.
James had taken over midway last season from former Manchester United first-team coach René Meulensteen who was let go after an indifferent start to the Kerala Blasters league campaign. James who was given a three-year contract guided Kerala to a 6th place finish in the 2017-18 campaign.
This season, however, a string of poor results right from the onset and no real momentum in their campaign at any point saw them capitulate to sides weaker than them.
The dwindling home support and the humiliating 6-1 defeat at the hands of Mumbai City FC in their previous match seems to have accelerated his exit.
The Kerala Blasters official supporters group Manjappada were in open protest against the management and were boycotting home games. Here’s a snapshot from their twitter account from yesterday.
A prepared statement from David James read as follows:
““I’d like to thank the management, players and all staff for their support during my stint with the club. I wish them the very best for the future. The fans here have been amazing and I’d like to thank them too for a memorable experience.”
Kerala Blasters have some time to figure out who will take over as head coach with the league resuming after the winter break in February 2019.
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