Kibu Vicuna entrusted with reinvigorating Kerala Blasters FC
Hero ISL
2020-21: Kerala Blasters FC have placed their faith in head coach Kibu Vicuna,
who has already proven himself in Indian football. The Spaniard joins the
Kochi-based club after a title-winning season in the Hero I-League and will be
tasked with leading Kerala into the playoff spots for the first time since
2016.
Even though
the Spaniard has already enjoyed success in Indian club football, he’s taking
nothing for granted ahead of the new season and understands the competitive
nature of the Hero ISL, which brings its own challenge.
“Competition
in ISL is very tough. Teams are almost equally strong. Hence, we should
maintain top form throughout the season. Reaching the playoffs is all the more
important for Kerala Blasters because the team couldn’t get there in the last
three seasons. To finish in the top four and thereby qualify for the playoffs
is our first objective,” Vicuna said during an interaction with Kerala’s fans
shortly after his appointment.
The Spaniard
began his coaching career at a young age, taking charge of school and
university level teams. In 2002, the Spaniard took charge of the youth setup of
Spanish outfit Osasuna, where he also worked with current Chelsea star and
Spanish international Cesar Azpilicueta, who at the time was in the club's
youth system, among others.
He gained
valuable senior team experience as assistant coach while working under Jan
Urban at Osasuna before going on to be head coach of several Polish clubs like
Legia Warsaw, Zaglebie Lubin and Lech Poznan as well as Lithuanian outfit FK
Riteriai.
Vicuna
arrived in India to take over the reins of Mohun Bagan AC in the last Hero
I-League season and the 48-year-old head coach proved his credentials by
putting together a solid unit that was pleasing to the eyes of the neutral.
Under the Spaniard, Mohun Bagan AC dominated their competition in the league
and clinched the title with the best offensive as well as defensive records in
Hero I-League 2019-20.
Vicuna’s
success and style of football is ultimately what prompted Kerala Blasters FC’s
Sporting Director Karolis Skinkys to secure his signature and it’s a decision
that he’s happy with. “Of all the decisions I have taken, appointing Kibu
Vicuna was the one I was most sure about. I know the feedback from his previous
clubs, he has already adapted to India. I am very happy we finally reached an
agreement and now we're working together,” Skinkys recently said.
Kerala
Blasters have played in two Hero ISL finals but have come up short of the
playoff spots in each of the last three seasons. In Vicuna, Kerala now have a
coach who has proven himself on Indian shores while demonstrating his ability
to get the best out of his players. And while the Hero ISL is more competitive
and comes with greater challenges, Kerala’s passionate fan base can at the very
least look forward to a season of exciting and reinvigorating football that
could catapult the Blasters to a first playoff appearance in four seasons.
Courtesy - https://ndiansuperleague.com/