Ivan Vukomanovic and Kerala Blasters FC seemed a marriage made in heaven from day one as the energy with which the Serbian made his team play football matched with that of those in the terraces of the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Kochi. 

Kerala Blasters FC in the past three seasons were a reflection of Vukomanovic, a reflection of their fans. It’s a sentence that can be used interchangeably as the Serbian felt pretty much like a part of that crowd. 

The beautiful and highly successful journey came to an end on Friday as Kerala Blasters FC parted ways with Vukomanovic, drawing curtains on an era, one that will in most likelihood be looked at as the time that transformed the Kochi side. 

Kerala Blasters FC may still be without a major silverware but they are no longer the underachievers they were before the Serbian stepped into the door. They are competitors and any player or coach who went up against Vukomanovic’s Blasters would vouch for that. 

The 46-year-old made a team that no opponent enjoyed facing, especially at Kochi where the Serbian managed to galvanise an already vocal fanbase. Kochi was often at its loudest under Vukomanovic and the love that he received from terraces remains unmatched. 

However, Vukomanovic’s Kerala Blasters FC wasn’t only about emotions but also about numbers and statistics that he can look back proudly on. 

The Serbian’s record stands tall among all Kerala Blasters FC head coaches and he will remain until bettered by someone else, the most successful coach the team has ever had. 

Head coach

Games 

Wins

Draws

Losses

GF

GA

Win%

Ivan Vukomanovic

67

30

13

24

98

88

44.8

Steve Coppell

17

7

5

5

16

18

41.18

David James

40

12

13

15

39

47

30

Eelco Schattorie

18

4

7

7

29

32

22.22

Kibu Vicuna

18

3

7

8

22

33

16.67

Highlights of Ivan Vukomanovic’s Kerala Blasters FC reign

  • Most games managed by a Kerala Blasters FC head coach 
  • Most wins by a Kerala Blasters FC head coach
  • Highest Win% of any Kerala Blasters FC head coach
  • Highest points per game (1.58) for any Kerala Blasters FC head coach
  • Most wins by a Kerala Blasters FC head coach in a single season
  • First Kerala Blasters FC head coach to qualify the team for three consecutive playoffs
  • First Kerala Blasters FC head coach to take the team to the top of the table in the league stage (apart from MW1)
  • The only Kerala Blasters FC head coach to have a positive goal difference across his reign.

Related tags:

Kerala Blasters FC2023-2024