After a stuttering start to Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18, Kerala Blasters FC parted ways with head coach Rene Meulensteen. Taking over from the Dutchman is a former Blasters player and one of the most iconic goalkeepers of his time, David James.

The 47-year-old returns to the club where he was the player-cum-coach in the inaugural season of the league. James had a very successful stint with the Blasters as the team reached the final in 2014. Having started in 12 matches, the Englishman kept four clean sheets and made a total of 32 saves as Kerala conceded only 10 times in 17 matches played. He was a leader on the pitch, and showed some great goalkeeping performances that helped his team to the brink of winning the inaugural league title.

Since turning professional in 1988, James had spent his entire career in England before his Hero ISL stint. He is fourth in the list of most Premier League appearances (572) for a player and won the Football League Cup in 1995 with Liverpool. His next honour came with Portsmouth, a club for which he played for four years and made more than a century of appearance as he won the 2008 FA Cup.

James went on to represent England at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and appeared three times keeping two clean sheets in his matches for England in the group stage. At 39, he was also the oldest debutant in world cup history. The Englishman also held the record for the most number of clean sheets in the Premier League till Petr Cech surpassed him.

Age was never a hinderance for James as he showed incredible shot-stopping prowess with the Blasters as well. He was renowned for possessing strong hands and over his career has made plenty of point-blank saves. His reflexes never let him down and at 6’4” tall, he was a commanding presence in the penalty box, always alert and inspiring the defence in front of him.

With the Kerala fans, he was an instant hit as his leadership skills, coaching skills and goalkeeping prowess guided them to the final of the inaugural season. On his return, no one was more joyous than the passionate Kochi fans, and on rejoining his old side, he said, “It is an honour to be given the opportunity to manage a team I fell in love with back in 2014. Kerala Blasters FC is a club that follows the values of their region with passion and support. I look forward to a new chapter in the history of the club and for me too.”

He began his latest stint with a 1 – 1 draw against FC Pune City in a match where they showed a lot of attacking flair that was missing under the reign of the Dutchman, especially in the second half. The road ahead is a long one for James, but the Kerala fans know that if anyone is capable of pushing the Blasters to the semi-finals berth, it has to be the iconic custodian.

Kerala next travel to Delhi to take on Delhi Dynamos FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on January 10 in what will be James’ first away match at the helm this season.