Road to ISL 2018-19 playoffs: Gourav Mukhi's Age Fraud & David James' Tenure - 5 things Teams want you to Forget

#4 David James’ tenure

David James endured a tough season with Kerala Blasters

Kerala Blasters, the team from a region which has a rich history in Indian football, reached the final in the inaugural season of the ISL in 2014. Though they lost the match, their performance and domination throughout the season was impeccable. The mastermind of their supremacy was none other than David James, the famous English goalkeeper who made headlines very often for good and bad reasons.

James replaced Rene Meulensteen as the coach of Kerala in the winter of 2018 and helped them to a mid-table finish. The Blasters' management was impressed and extended his contract until 2021.

No one knew that this decision would come back haunt them. After winning their opening match against ATK, Blasters’ season went from bad to worse as Kerala remained winless for 11 straight matches, diminishing all their chances to qualify for the playoffs.

One major problem for Kerala was their failure to convert chances. During James’ time, they had a disappointing 6.48 per cent conversion rate. The backline also didn’t provide support with the off-form of Sandesh Jhinghan. There was also a clear difference between the players and the coach. As a result, Blasters’ parted way with James midway into the season.

Under their new coach Nelo Vingada, the team seems to have found some confidence but they were already out of the contention for a spot in the playoffs by then.