Ashley Westwood, first head coach and the original Bengaluru FC legend, leaves the club
BENGALURU FC HAVE decided to part ways with their first ever head coach Ashley Westwood, who was with them since day one and played a massive role in making the club what it is today.
A former Manchester United youth product, Westwood joined Bengaluru FC as a head coach in 2013 after a stint at Blackburn as one of the squad coaches. His influence in setting up the club's squad operations with a touch of European professionalism has been obvious from the very start, and it led to instant success for the club.
A sad day for all of the BFC family.
— Bengaluru Fc Fans (@Bengalurufcfans) May 31, 2016
Thank you for the memories, take care and all the best boss! #Thankyouashley pic.twitter.com/hu68xm3C44
They won the I-League on their very first season, and the Federation Cup on the next, before winning the league again this season. They also have an AFC Cup campaign alive and well, having qualified for the upcoming AFC Cup quarter finals. With 3 major trophies in 3 seasons, they are one of the most successful clubs in recent Indian football history.
But a disconnect between Westwood and the club administration was visible this season, when rumours started floating around that the popular British coach was on his way out. There were reports linking him to the head coach position at the Singapore national team. Later on, after securing the league title, Westwood spoke openly about his disapproval of a pay cut the club had proposed in his new contract.
Official statement from Ashley Westwood. #Thankyouashley pic.twitter.com/hCRcvPffap
— Bengaluru Fc Fans (@Bengalurufcfans) May 31, 2016
The confirmation that he was leaving came earlier today, on the day his original 3 year contract was set to expire. Santosh Kashyap, who recently coached Royal Wahingdoh in their most successful I-League campaign and then saved Salgaocar from relegation, is rumoured to be his successor.
Westwood is only 39 and his first managerial job, at Bengaluru FC, has already built him a coaching legacy that many spend their careers trying to achieve. He provided stable support when a group of passionate individuals built a football club out of nothing, and provided leadership as that club went on to achieve national and international success. The incessent rigour he put in for the club made him extremely popular with its fans, and eclipsed the periods of controversy that surrounded him; including the spat between him and a Mohun Bagan staff at Kanteerava this season.
In the 3 years he spent with the Blues, he became the club's original legendary figure.
