Image Courtesy: Khel Now
Kerala Blasters FC has hired Serbian Ivan Vukomanovic as their new head coach for the next season in the Indian Super League.
Vukomanovic will be the first Serbian to lead KBFC, and he has extensive coaching experience in Belgium, Slovakia, and Cyprus’s top divisions.
I am really excited to be part of the KBFC Family.
Can’t wait to kick-start things.
Let us all work hard together as a team for the upcoming ISL season.
Stay Safe Guys.
I will meet you all soon!#YennumYellow pic.twitter.com/LPUveYirgl— Ivan Vukomanovic (@ivanvuko19) June 17, 2021
In the 2013-14 season, the 43-year-old began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Belgian club Standard Liege before being promoted the following season.
For two years in a row, the squad qualified for the UEFA Europa League group stages under his leadership.
Since then, he has managed SK Slovan Bratislava in the Slovak Super Liga, winning the Slovakia National Cup with them, and Apollon Limassol in the Cypriot First Division.
Commenting on his appointment, Vukomanovic said: “They have a professional approach about their vision, which gave me a very good feeling. After then seeing the army of fans and support KBFC has, I didn’t hesitate a second.”
Vukomanovic had a long and illustrious 15-year career as a professional footballer before becoming a coach.
Vukomanovic, a former defender who could also play in midfield, has played for FC Bordeaux in France, FC Koln in Germany, Royal Antwerp in Belgium, Dynamo Moscow in Russia, and Red Star Belgrade in Serbia.
Patrik Van Kets, the Belgian assistant coach with 18 years of experience as a professional football coach, will join the Serbian coaching staff.
Van Kets has a sharp eye and the capacity to nurture and cultivate young talent, having served as an assistant coach at numerous clubs in France and Belgium.
Following the conclusion of the previous season, the club held an individual training camp to help its players improve their fitness and skills over the off-season.
While preseason planning and preparations are well underway, Vukomanovic is likely to arrive in India in the coming weeks, prompting the start of training camp.