Super League set to revolutionise Kerala Football with star coaches and glitz

The upcoming Kerala Super League will feature a roster of international coaches guiding the six participating teams. The head coaches come from Brazil, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, while all assistant coaches are A-Licensed professionals from India, including Malayali coaches Jo Paul Ancheri and Satheevan Balan.

Here’s a closer look at the coaching staff:

Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC

Brazilian Sérgio Alexandre will lead the team as head coach, with Kali Alaudeen as his assistant. Alexandre brings experience from previous roles with teams in Brazil and the UAE, including America FC and Dibba Al-Hisn Sports Club.

Forca Kochi FC

Portuguese coach Mário Lemos, the youngest head coach in the league at 38, will manage the team, with Indian former international Jo Paul Ancheri assisting. Lemos previously served as the national coach of Bangladesh and has experience coaching in Malaysia and Thailand.

Thrissur Magic FC

Italian Giovanni Scanu will coach the team, supported by Indian assistant Satheevan Balan. Scanu joins after coaching at Kilimani City FC in Tanzania, with a background in Nigeria, Lithuania, Brazil, Hungary, and Bangladesh.

Malappuram FC

John Gregory, a former England international with a notable career at Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers, will coach the team, assisted by Cleofas Alex. Gregory’s extensive experience includes managing top teams like Aston Villa and Portsmouth.

Calicut FC

Scottish-born Australian Ian Gillan will coach Calicut FC, with Kerala’s Santosh Trophy coach Bibi Thomas as his assistant. Gillan’s previous roles include coaching at Lalitpur City FC in Nepal and being part of selection panels for English clubs such as Middlesbrough and Stoke City.

Kannur Warriors FC

Spanish coach Manuel Sánchez Murias will guide Kannur Warriors, with Shafeeq Hassan as his assistant. Murias has experience with grassroots development at Real Sporting Academy and has managed Racing Club Ferrol, Real Sporting de Gijón, and Real Avilés CF.

The teams have invested significantly in their coaching staff, with individual expenditures ranging from Rs 25-50 lakhs, amounting to an overall cost of around Rs 2 crores for the first season.

“We expect the tournament to be a real game-changer,” said Forca Kochi FC owner Nasli Mohammed to Mathrubhumi. The Kerala Super League is anticipated to make a significant impact on the state’s football scene.