Former Manchester City and Reading manager Steve Coppell set to coach Kerala Blasters

KERALA BLASTERS HAVE asserted their intent to come out of a disheartening bottom finish in ISL 2015 with a strong managerial appointment, and they have landed one of the biggest coach signings ever in Indian football. 

Steve Coppell, former Manchester United and England winger who went on to manage multiple major English clubs like Crystal Palace, Manchester City, Brentford and Reading FC, has decided to take on his first coaching role since 2010 to coach Kerala Blasters in the 2016 edition of ISL.

The Blasters’ had appointed player-manager David James as a manager for the inaugural edition of the ISL. The English goalkeeper led the team to the finals of the tournament only to lose to Atletico de Kolkata by a goal margin. The Kerala franchise appointed Peter Taylor after failing to retain James in the second edition. After managing just one win in the initial six games, the Englishman was given the boot and further appointed Terry Phelan to take over the managerial role. Phelan too didn’t click marking just one win in eight games.

The 61-year-old will have a tough task to live up to the fans’ expectations to make it to the finals and lift the trophy this time.