Kerala Blasters have appointed former Irish World Cup player Terrence ‘Terry’ Phelan as the team’s head coach for the ongoing ISL. Phelan earlier was looking after the club’s grassroots initiative as its Technical Director.
The Irishman replaces Peter Taylor, who was removed from his post after a string of poor performances.
“We have been working with Terry over the last one year. His contribution for the Kerala Blasters Football Schools initiative has been immense. He has interacted with the squad from the start of the season, and the players share a comfortable rapport with him,” the Blasters’ CEO Viren D’silva said. “I think Terry will allow the players to express themselves and (play an) attacking brand of football that the fans deserve. His technical prowess combined with his international experience will prove a valuable asset to the Kerala Blasters for the remainder of the season.”
The 48-year-old Phelan was part of the Irish squad for the 1994 World Cup and had stints with top English Premier League clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City during his professional career.
The Blasters, last year’s runner-up, started this season’s campaign brightly, beating NorthEast United FC 3-1 in Kochi. The team, however, stuttered thereafter, losing four of their next five games. Taylor left soon after with assistant coach Trevor Morgan taking charge as the interim head. Under him, the team held the mighty Chennaiyin FC to a 1-1 draw at home, despite playing the last 18 minutes with 10 men.
The Blasters are at the bottom of the eight-team League with just five points in their kitty. Phelan, surely, has a tough task ahead.
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