MARGAO
Kerala Blasters have roped in Ivan Vukomanovic as their head coach. The Serb is the tenth man to take up the role at the Indian Super League team in just eight seasons, replacing Spaniard Kibu Vicuna who parted ways with the club towards the end of a disappointing 2020-21 season.
The 43-year-old Vukomanovic began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Belgian club Standard Liege in the 2013-14 season before his promotion in the subsequent term. He has since managed Slovan Bratislava in the Slovak Super Liga and was last in charge of Apollon Limassol in the Cypriot First Division. However, his stint at Apollon Limassol was brief as he could only get one win in the four games he was in charge.
Interestingly, Facundo Pereyra who played for Kerala Blasters last season played under Vukomanovic at Apollon Limassol before coming to India.
Before his coaching career, Ivan had a long and illustrious 15 years of career as a professional footballer. A defender who could also play as a defensive midfielder, Vukomanovic had stints with prominent French club FC Bordeaux as well as FC Koln in Germany, Royal Antwerp in Belgium, Dynamo Moscow in Russia and Red Star Belgrade in Serbia. Vukomanovic’s coaching team will include Belgian assistant coach Patrik Van Kets, who comes with 18 years of experience as a pro coach.
Last season, the Yellow Army suffered an underwhelming run wherein they finished second from the bottom with 17 points from 20 games. Following their worst defeat in the campaign, a 4-0 loss to Hyderabad, Vicuna was shown the door when they dropped to the eighth position on the table after 18 games.
“After seeing the army of fans and support KBFC has, I didn’t hesitate a second. Immediately I knew that I wanted to become a member of the KBFC family, and I am very glad it happened. I hope we will all work together to make everyone who loves this beautiful club happy and proud. Yennum Yellow!” Vukomanovic was quoted in a club statement.
