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What’s the story?
Two-time ISL champions ATK are having a tough time in the ongoing season as they drew their opening game against Kerala Blasters, followed by a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of FC Pune City in Kolkata.
With reports of a rift between manager Teddy Sheringham and technical director Ashley Westwood already bothering ATK, yet another setback has taken place in this whole saga. With ATK set to play Jamshedpur FC on Friday, it has come to light that Westwood, whohas been rumoured to be on the verge of leaving his post at the club, has not travelled with the team for this away game.
The context:
ATK, previously had tieups with Spanish giants Atletico de Madrid, have now shifted to a more English style of management, as they roped in Sheringham and Westwood during the preseason. However, with just one point from two matches, not all seems to be well between the two.
During the last match, ATK defence performed poorly and had to digest four goals and speculations were there that Westwood was not happy with Sheringham’s tactics which led to the differences between the two.
The heart of the matter
Officials within the ATK camp, however, refuted rumours of a rift between the two Englishmen, saying that they merely have discussions on how to take the young side forward. According to them, Westwood has stayed back in Kolkata, in order to further discuss details about the team with the top brass of the club. He is set to join the team at a later date.
What’s next?
ATK need to win their next match in order to restore their chances in ISL 2017 and calm down the situation. If they lose again, things will go from bad to worse.
Author’s take
The season has just begun and such things from a champion side are unexpected. The ATK top brass must sit down with the two and sort this out immediately if there is indeed a rift between Sheringham and Westwood.
