ISL 2018/19: Manjappada boycott, Cyberbullying and more - 5 things Kerala Blasters got wrong this season

#3 Affording the time and luxury to David James

James parted ways with the club just before Christmas

David James was revered by many as an icon ahead of the fifth edition of the ISL and it was justified due to his heroics with the team in the inaugural edition of the tournament.

The Englishman was called upon to steady the ship after Rene Meulensteen was sacked midway through 2017/18 season and eventually ended up penning a long-term contract to undertake a ‘project’ in Kochi.

However, the ‘project’ failed miserably during his first full season as full-time manager of Kerala Blasters as the club went on their worst ever run in the competition that subsequently spelled the end for his ill-fated tenure at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium.

Despite venturing out into a point of no return with his meek tactics that led to fallout with the fans, James was afforded time and luxury at the club, until they decided it was time wield the axe after the embarrassing defeat to Mumbai City in December.

The team were going nowhere under the guidance of the former England international and it is quite baffling to think he was afforded the time that not many managers get in their respective jobs.

Perhaps the Kerala Blasters were willing to play the patient game due to the long-term contract that tied him to the club or maybe it was their inability to find an ideal successor before parting ways with him.

However, the one thing that became clear during his spell at the club was that he had no idea about his side’s best abilities or combinations. Some of his opinions on aspects during press conferences went to the extent that you would start questioning his credibility as a professional manager.

The lack of urgency shown by the Kerala Blasters board meant the damage was already heavily inflicted by the time James departed and it subsequently ended their hopes of finishing in a playoff spot.