Kerala Blasters, today, announced the appointment of David Catala as the new head coach. The 44-year-old former Spanish footballer has signed a one-year contract and will take over with immediate effect, the club said in a statement.
Kerala Blasters, who are eighth in the ISL 2024-25 standings, parted ways with coach Mikael Stahre in December last year after a string of poor performances. Assistant coaches Björn Wesström and Frederico Pereira Morais, too, were fired.
ℹ David Catàlà takes charge as the new head coach of Kerala Blasters FC! 💼⚽
— Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) March 25, 2025
Read more about the appointment and his journey so far on our website 📰#WelcomeDavid #KBFC #KeralaBlasters
Kerala Blasters reserve team head coach and head of youth development, Tomasz Tchórz, and assistant coach T.G. Purushothaman were in charge of the remaining 12 matches in the league stage, of which they won five.
David Catala: All you need to know about the new Kerala Blasters head coach
A former central defender, Catala has played over 500 matches in Spain and Cyprus, before taking up coaching. He has managed AEK Larnaca and Apollon Limassol in the Cypriot First Division, NK Istra 1961 in the Croatian First Football League, and CE Sabadell in the Primera Federación.
"Joining Kerala Blasters FC is an incredible honour,” he said. “This club has an unmatched passion, a city that breathes football, and a fanbase that turns every match into a spectacle. The expectations here are clear—this is a club that deserves success, and together, we will chase it with everything we have. Kaloor’s energy and the stature of this great club demand nothing less than excellence. I can’t wait to get started, and meet everyone at the club. Let’s go, Blasters!"
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Kerala Blasters CEO Abhik Chatterjee said that Catala was chosen for his “determination, a calm head on his shoulders, and an ability to absorb pressure” apart from his footballing knowledge and coaching experience.
The Club’s Sporting Director Karolis Skinkys, too, agreed. “David convinced me with his determination to work and ambition to achieve new highs for himself and Kerala Blasters. I trust his abilities to manage a group and keep the team together in tough moments. I think his calmness and competence are exactly what our club needs at this moment in this position. Wishing David all the best with this new challenge.”
Catala will arrive in Kochi soon and begin preparations for the Super Cup.
