The Serbian tactician joined the club at the start of the season and had done a phenomenal work, taking them to the final of the 2021-22 Indian Super League (ISL) season.
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Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club for three more years, till 2025, the Kochi-based club announced on Monday. The Serbian tactician joined the club at the start of the season and had done a phenomenal job, taking them to the final of the 2021-22 Indian Super League (ISL) season. Although the Blasters lost the title decider against Hyderabad FC on penalties, the exciting brand of football they played under Vukomanovic has made him a fan favourite. KBFC qualified for the play-offs for the first time in six years and they can be proud of their achievement.
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നമ്മളെവരും കാത്തിരുന്ന നിമിഷം ?@ivanvuko19 #IVAN2025 #YennumYellow #KBFC #കേരളബ്ലാസ്റ്റേഴ്സ്
— K e r a l a B l a s t e r s F C (@KeralaBlasters) April 4, 2022
Vukomanovic was brought in to replace Kibu Vicuna, and in his first season in India he achieved many milestones as the team went unbeaten for ten games, a run that saw the club climb to the top of the points table for the first time in its history. KBFC had the best defensive record in the league, keeping a total of eight clean sheets, the most by any team and conceded just 24 goals in the league phase, only Hyderabad FC (23) and Jamshedpur FC (21) had conceded fewer goals.
Meanwhile another highlight of Vukomanovic’s maiden ISL campaign was the development of numerous Indian youngsters. The most notable name is of midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad, who finished the season with his best ever ISL figures of six goals and one assist in 21 games while Goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill, midfielder Puitea and centre-back Ruivah Hormipam also had a breakthrough season.
Puitea was a consistent performer in the middle of the park, while Hormipam formed a solid partnership with Marko Leskovic in the central defence and was a key figure in the defensive unit. The 21-year-old Manipuri defender earned his first national team call-up for the impressive ISL season.
“I’m happy that we agreed on a three-year deal with Ivan. He adapted seamlessly and is an integral part of the Blasters family. I think it is an important move for our club, and we now have a strong base to continue our work with consistency and achieve more goals. I would like to congratulate all Kerala Blasters fans with this extension!” said Blasters’ Sporting Director, Karolis Skinkys.
Sharing his excitement on the extension, Head Coach Ivan Vukomanović said, “Since we started our cooperation last year, I felt the right energy and emotion around this beautiful club. I was immediately attracted by people leading this project, by fans, and Kerala. Today, we have a great opportunity to continue in the same direction with more commitment and dedication. I am very pleased and happy with this contract extension. Hope that we all will have even more motivation to be better in next seasons.”
