ISL 2018-19: 4 Coaches who can Replace David James at Kerala Blasters

(Disclaimer: These are the opinions of the author and do not reflect those of the website)

Kerala Blasters recently sacked coach David James after a disastrous start to their Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19 season.

The Blasters fired the Englishman after the 6-1 humiliation at the hands of Mumbai City FC, their heaviest defeat ever.

Blasters have had a torrid season so far and have slim hopes of qualifying for the ISL playoffs. After starting the season confidently with a 2-0 win over ATK, Blasters lost the plot and have not recorded a victory in the remaining 11 games.

They have collected nine points and are placed eighth on the table, 18 behind leaders Bengaluru FC with only six more games to go in the season. In the 12 games that they have played, Kerala Blasters have secured six draws and lost five matches.

Manjappada, the Blasters' fan group, lost patience with James and demanded that the management sack him immediately. The fan group even organised a boycott, where only about 8000-odd fans turned up for the game between Blasters and Jamshedpur FC.

The team's performance did not improve despite the protests by the fans and Blasters ended up on the losing side against the struggling Pune City 1-0. And when Modou Sougou struck four goals in the 6-1 mauling, the Kerala Blasters' management had to act.

They shut the door on James, who had earlier signed a three-year contract with the Kochi-based club. His assistant Hermann Hreidarsson followed and Thangboi Singto has been named the interim manager.

But Blasters need to zero in on a permanent coach before the next season. We present some options:

---

#4 Trevor Morgan

Morgan was an asst coach under James

Trevor Morgan is currently the head coach of the Bhutan national team. With nearly a decade of experience here in India, he is one of the hot favourites for this job.

Morgan's first assignment in India was to manage East Bengal in the I-League back in 2010. He remained in this position until 2013. He had a second stint with the club in the 2016-17 season when they finished third on the league table.

Morgan joined Kerala Blasters in 2014, the inaugural season of Hero ISL. There, he was the assistant to David James and played a pivotal role in the team as they reached the final before being handed a defeat by Atletico de Kolkata.

Morgan remained with the Blasters for the 2015 season. This time, he was the assistant to Peter Taylor. Taylor was sacked midway through the season and Morgan was called to replace him as the interim coach then as well. He eventually handed the reins to grassroots manager Terry Phelan.

Morgan also had a short reign at Goa-based FC Dempo before leaving for East Bengal and then eventually to Bhutan.

As such Morgan, though committed to Bhutan now, will be a good choice. He is also a fan favourite at Kochi for his pivotal role in the first two seasons!

#3 Avram Grant

Avram Grant

Avram Grant - this name still haunts the Liverpool fans! Even though it happened a decade ago, he is still a hero at Chelsea, a villain at Liverpool.

Grant guided Chelsea to the final of the 2008 UEFA Champions League with a 4-3 over Liverpool. Although they lost to Man Utd in the final, it has been the greatest achievement of Grant.

If you are not satisfied with that, Avram Grant won the PL Manager of the month in April 2008 beating the likes of Sir Alex Fergusson and Arsene Wenger!

Besides that, he has served as the coach of West Ham and Portsmouth. Outside the United Kingdom, he has been the manager of the national teams of Israel and Ghana.

Avram Grant had a brief stint in India with NorthEast United last season. He was their interim manager after the sacking of Portuguese Joao De Deus.

NorthEast announced Grant as an advisor to new head coach Eelco Schattorie this season. But it just seemed like a publicity stunt as Grant flew back to his home country Israel before the start of the season.

Grant has all the qualities to guide the Blasters during this difficult phase. However, he may agree only for a full-time role.

#2 Ranko Popovic

Ranko Popovic coaching FC Tokyo against Brisbane - AFC Asian Champions League

Ranko Popovic is the man who guided FC Pune City to the playoffs last season. It was Pune's first-ever time at the playoff round.

Ranko Popovic is a man who has coached teams in Spain, Japan, Thailand, homeland Siberia and Austria. His stint with FC Tokyo in Japan was a highly successful one.

When Antonio Habas was sacked from the position of head coach just weeks before the ISL started last year, the Serbian Popovic was called to task. He was given less than three weeks to prepare his team and he surprised all by guiding them to the ISL semis.

A virtually impossible task, especially if you have no idea about the team. Ranko Popovic didn't complain though. He took up the challenge and delivered.

All that says of his determination and his passion for football. But all said and done, Ranko Popovic is currently committed to an Austrian club.

It means Kerala Blasters will have to pay a fee to get his services. Therefore, they may approach him only at the end of the season.

#1 Eduardo Berizzo

Berizzo coaching Athletic Club against Real Madrid CF in La Liga

Eduardo Berizzo is the most experience among all the other names listed here, even though he has never been in India. He is a perfect long-term choice for the inconsistent club.

Berrizo has worked at numerous clubs, notably in Spain. There, he has helmed the likes of FC Sevilla and Celta Vigo!

Eduardo Berizzo was also the assistant coach of the Chilean national team between 2007 and 2010, besides having served at numerous Latin American clubs including O'Higgins (Chile) and Estudiantes LP (Argentina).

Berizzo is a highly reputed coach. He was sought after by Celta Vigo back in 2014 to replace the Barcelona-bound Luis Enrique. He led the club to the semifinals of Europa League in the 2016-17 season. As for Sevilla, he replaced Jorge Sampaoli, who was appointed the head coach of the Argentinian national team.

Berizzo's last task was Athletic Bilbao, also in Spain's top flight. He was relieved of his duties on 4th December after winning just two of the fifteen competitive matches played.

Berizzo would make a perfect Blasters coach. Besides all his achievements, he is from Latin America (the world's most passionate place for football).

Well, Kerala has India's most passionate fans. What a suitable bride for the groom!