Eelco Schattorie appointed as new coach of Kerala Blasters FC
Eelco Schattorie has penned a deal as the coach of Kerala Blasters after guiding NorthEast United FC to the play-off stage for the first time in the 2018 season of the Indian Super League. The Dutchman had previously coached the likes of Prayag United, East Bengal FC and Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.
Dutch coach Eelco Schattorie impressed everyone as he led an underperforming NorthEast United FC team to the ISL 2018-19 play-offs for the first time in the club’s history. NEUFC lost just three games, drew eight and won seven as they ended with 29 points on the ISL points table and held on to the fourth spot ahead of Jamshedpur FC.
Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters FC had a forgettable season last year as they ended the tournament at the ninth place ahead of last-placed defending champions - Chennaiyin FC. However, the Kerala-based outfit have moved quick to bring in Schattorie from NEUFC ahead of the start of the 2019-20 ISL season as their new head coach.Â
Swagatham, Eelco Schattorie! #wEELCOme #NammudeSwantham pic.twitter.com/pPY0KW1FTM
— Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) 19 May 2019
The Blasters play their home matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Kochi. The team has held the record for highest league attendance every season, regularly averaging over 55,000 fans a game. It will be interesting to see whether Schattorie will be able to bring about a change in fortunes for the two-time ISL finalists. Schattorie had previously coached I-League side East Bengal FC and also Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.
