Kerala Blasters FC have been dominating the headlines among the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) fraternity since Tuesday morning when they announced that they were parting ways with head coach David James. The Englishman was appointed as manager in January this year, guiding Kerala to a sixth-placed finish in the 2017-18 campaign of the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL). However, the Blasters have had an abysmal run this season, winning only one match in 12.

Revered Malayalam football commentator Shaiju Damodaran shared his thoughts on the Englishman’s departure exclusively to indiansuperleague.com. Shaiju believed that the club management should have taken the decision much earlier to allow time for the next manger to try and turn things around. “ The decision on David James was inevitable. But they (Kerala Blasters’ management) could have taken the decision three to four matches before, because now under the new coach, only six matches are left. I don't think it can make any difference,” he opined.

Continuing on the same note, Shaiju spoke of the similar situation the Blasters were dealt with last season. “Last season, when Rene Meulensteen was sacked after first eight matches, David James had enough space and time to regroup .”

Talking about James’ approach, Shaiju believed that the former English keeper never really stepped up to the plate to guide his team this season. “In my opinion, this year right from the beginning, Kerala lacked proper game planning. They were just a mediocre football group consisting of individual players. They never looked like a team this season. According to me, the head coach should be the chief motivator of the team. But here in Kerala, I never saw James transform himself into such a role. Proper guidance and motivation was definitely lacking among the players this season. It was so sad,” he concluded.