Mikael Stahre might want to know that he has big shoes to fill, as his predecessor Ivan Vukomanovic was arguably the most popular head coach to manage the team in yellow. The Blasters have had 12 head coaches before Stahre, including a few interim ones, but in the three seasons under Serbian Vukomanovic, they consistently qualified for the knockouts and were runners-up once. Such was his popularity that the majority of the fanbase rallied behind Vukomanovic even as he was banned for an infamous walkout.
Based on first impressions, Stahre appears determined to earn the trust of Manjappada and seems to know what might impress them. "I'm not a negative guy; I have a positive view of life," Stahre said in an interaction with the media in Kochi on Friday. The Blasters will open their Indian Super League campaign against Punjab FC on Sunday (September 15).
"Football fans, in general, are critical and have high expectations. They want to see positive, energetic football, but they also want to see fighters out there. That is my message to the fan; we really want to please them," Stahre said. The Swede added that it is and should be a privilege for the players "to be a member of this club".
Stahre's Blasters gave a good account of themselves in the recently held Durand Cup that counts as pre-season outing. The Blasters scored 16 goals and conceded just twice in four matches, including three matches in the group stage. The Blasters were knocked out, 1-0, by Bengaluru FC in the quarterfinals. "Unfortunately, we couldn't reach our target in the Durand Cup, but we got some important answers." He realises their free-scoring form in the Durand cannot be taken for granted because the ISL is "a totally different ball game". "The friendlies and Durand Cup matches tell us one story, but the games in the ISL will tell us a different story."
How the season opens for the Blasters remains a mystery as the team has undergone a makeover with several key players from last season moving on. Star striker Dimitrios Diamantakos, who scored 13 times for the Blasters last season and finished as the league's leading marksman, has joined East Bengal. Midfield metronome Jeakson Singh, who served the Blasters for six years, has also joined the Kolkata side. Defender Marko Leskovic, who had an injury-marred but impressive few seasons, has also left.
Moroccan attacker Noah Sadaoui and Jesus Jimenez are two of the star arrivals. Sadaoui had been a standout performer for FC Goa in recent seasons, scoring about 20 goals and giving assists 14 times. Spaniard Jimenez will be expected to find goals like Diamantakos. The onus is on Stahre to get the best out of his team. On the basis of what he saw in pre-season and in training, Stahre sees scope for improvement in midfield and the final third. He expects more sharpness "in the final moments where we have to go for the attack". The coach also wants his side to "keep the ball and 'rest' and control the game".
