Kerala Blasters did not wait until the completion of the ongoing Indian Super League season to appoint a head coach. The Kochi-based club announced Spaniard David Catala as the new boss on a one-year contract on March 25.

Catala succeeds T G Puruthothaman, who was in an interim position following the sacking of Swede Mikael Stahre in mid-December. Catala will be the 15th manager, including interim bosses, to manage the Blasters since their inception in 2014.

ADVERTISEMENT

Catala becomes only the second Spaniard appointed by the Indian Super League outfit after Kibu Vicuna, who joined them in April 2020 but left before the completion of the season due to a series of poor results.

"David convinced me with his determination to work and ambition to achieve new highs for himself and Kerala Blasters," said Blasters' Sporting Director Karoils Skinkys.

ADVERTISEMENT

"I trust his abilities to manage a group and keep the team together in tough moments. I think his calmness and competence are exactly what our club needs at this moment in this position," Skinkys said in a statement issued by the club.

Catala, a former central defender, had a distinguished playing career with over 500 professional appearances in Spain and Cyprus. He ventured into coaching with Cypriot side AEK Larnaca in 2021 and managed Apollon Limassol and Croatian league side NK Istra 1961. He last managed Spanish fourth-division side Sabadell before agreeing to his first experience in Asia.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Joining Kerala Blasters FC is an incredible honour. This club has an unmatched passion, a city that breathes football, and a fanbase that turns every match into a spectacle. The expectations here are clear—this is a club that deserves success, and together, we will chase it with everything we have. Kaloor’s energy and the stature of this great club demand nothing less than excellence. I can’t wait to get started and meet everyone at the club," Catala was quoted by the Blasters.

The Spaniard is expected to join the Blasters' ongoing camp for the Super Cup set to be held in Bhubaneswar, starting April 21.

TAGS

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.