Kochi: In latest football news, the Indian Super League Club, Kerala Blasters FC has today announced the appointment of Ivan Vukomanovic as the club’s new Head Coach ahead of the 2021/22 ISL season. Ivan has a wide experience of coaching in the top divisions of Belgium, Slovakia and Cyprus and will be the first Serbian to manage KBFC.
The 43-year-old Vukomanovic started his coaching career at Belgian club Standard Liege in the 2013-14 season as an assistant coach, before his promotion in the subsequent term. Under his mentorship, the team secured qualification in the UEFA Europa league group stages two years successively.
During this term, Vukomanovic played a major role in molding Belgian internationals like Mitchy Batshuayi and Laurent Cimon, amongst many others. He has since managed SK Slovan Bratislava in the Slovak Super Liga and won the Slovakia National Cup with them. He was last in charge of Apollon Limassol in the Cypriot First Division.
Ivan had a long and successful 15 years of career as a professional football player before his coaching career. A former defender who could also play in defensive midfield, Vukomanovic enjoyed stints with major French club FC Bordeaux , FC Koln in Germany, Royal Antwerp in Belgium, Dynamo Moscow in Russia as well as Red Star Belgrade in Serbia.
Karolis Skinkys, Sporting Director, said: “I would like to congratulate Ivan on joining Kerala Blasters FC. It was a long process to choose the right candidate for the important head coach position. I think Ivan is the right fit for this big challenge and responsibility, someone who can handle the pressure here. I see his passion for the game, deep football knowledge and clear principles about football. I like his way of thinking and I believe that Ivan will be able to implement his football ideas in Kerala Blasters. We are looking forward to working in the same direction to help Kerala Blasters grow “
Commenting on his appointment, Ivan Vukomanovic added: “From my first contact with the club’s directors, the feeling was positive. They have a professional approach about their vision, which gave me a very good feeling. 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!”
Ivan’s coaching team will also feature Belgian assistant coach Patrik Van Kets, who has 18 years of experience as a professional footballing coach. Having been associated as an assistant coach at multiple clubs in France and Belgium, Patrick has a keen eye and ability to nurture and grow young talent. With the Blasters having roped in multiple young talents ahead of ISL 8, the club will be hoping to bank on the experience and knowledge of Patrick to guide these young guns.
KBFC conducted an individual training camp after the conclusion of last season to help its players improve their fitness and skills during the off-season. As the preseason planning and preparations are already underway, the training camp is also expected to start soon with Ivan expected to land in India in the coming weeks.
