FOOTBALL | Westwood faces tough task trying to reverse Blasters’ fortunes

Kerala Blasters goes by means of a nightmare. It’s mendacity thirteenth among the many 14 groups of the ISL, with 5 losses and a draw.

So Ashley Westwood has a process on his arms. The Englishman with loads of expertise in Indian soccer has taken over as the brand new coach, rather than the Spaniard David Catala.

He admits it’s a massive problem. “I’ve to get some morale again, some confidence, some group spirit and to clearly attempt to enhance performances,” Westwood, who had guided Bengaluru FC to the I-League title within the membership’s first season, informed The Hindu. “I’ve had just a few chats with the gamers and the assist workers.”

Westwood, a former England youth worldwide who performed for Bradford Metropolis within the English Premier League, stated he accepted the job from the Blasters administration as a result of he needed to assist the group. “I do know Indian soccer fairly effectively,” he stated. “I simply needed to come back right here and assist. They reached out to me after the match in opposition to Punjab FC.”

The provide got here to Westwood, who has additionally labored with ATK and RoundGlass Punjab, on the proper time: he had left his teaching job with the Hong Kong nationwide group. “Seven weeks, roughly, and 7 video games, so it fitted effectively for me on the minute,” he reasoned. “And I’m blissful to be with Blasters at Kochi, which is a implausible metropolis.”

He recalled how he spoiled the Blasters’ probabilities as soon as whereas he was with ATK. “We had a really poor group at ATK and we ended up drawing with Kerala Blasters, which in all probability value them the playoffs,” he stated. “My outdated buddy David James was their coach.”

Westwood stated Blasters was one ISL membership he would have been eager about at any charge. “Due to the fan base,” he stated. “As a coach, you all the time wish to go to golf equipment with followers. And Kerala Blasters arguably have probably the most followers in India.”

Westwood, a product of the well-known Manchester United Academy the place he might work with the teaching nice Alex Ferguson, believes there may be loads of expertise in Indian soccer, however so much must be carried out.

“Infrastructure, after all, is all the time essential,” he stated. “Once you go to European locations, you’ll discover thousands and thousands of soccer fields in all places,” he stated. “There are good amenities to coach at. It’s essential to encourage younger gamers to stay at their profession. And you must practice the children from an early age.”