Ashley Westwood may leave Bengaluru FC over wage drop in new contract offer

RIGHT AFTER SECURING their second I-League title, Bengaluru FC have run into uncertain waters regarding the future of Ashley Westwood with the club.

Westwood, the club's very first head coach, has done some stellar work over its 3 year history, building a squad from the scratch and turning the club into one of the most important footballing institutions in the country. But it seems he may leave the club after the management offered him a wage drop in the next contract.

The British coach told the media in the post-match press conference after winning the league title that he did not feel his performance - 2 I-League titles and 1 Federation Cup in 3 years - warranted a lessening of compensation. Westwood said that unless the club management fulfilled his demands he would seek greener pastures.

But Westwood was quick to clarify that there were no ill-feelings between him and the management and he still loved BFC,

"I would never disrespect the club. That is not my nature. I don't like to talk about dirty laundry. But some people are not on the same wavelength. I have said what I have to but if this club does not want to keep me, I will move on." 

Rumours regarding Westwood's departure have been doing the rounds for a while now. Earlier, a website linked him with the job of Singapore national team head coach. And there has been a buzz about Santosh Kashyap being in line to replace Westwood come next season.

But Westwood remains one of the most popular figures among the club's fans and a legend in his own rights and the Blues faithfuls will hope that the management leave no stone unturned in their efforts to keep him at Kanteerava.

Westwood's present contract runs till May 2016 so there is no doubt that he will be at the touchline leading Bengaluru FC in their title defence at the Federation Cup which kicks off early May.