ISL 2017: Technical director Ashley Westwood to leave ATK after falling out with coach Teddy Sheringham?

What’s the story?

Not all seems to be well at the defending ISL champions ATK’s camp. Manager Teddy Sheringham and technical director Ashley Westwood have seemingly fallen out, with reports suggesting that the latter may soon be on his way out of the club.

In case you didn’t know…

ATK went for a complete change in direction of the club after they broke off their partnership with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid. Following this, they replaced title-winning coach Jose Molina with Teddy Sheringham and roped in two-time I-League winning former Bengaluru FC manager Ashley Westwood as their technical director.

The heart of the matter

With recent results not going their way, the defending champions find themselves in a bit of an impasse, having scored just one point from their first two matches. A 4-1 loss in their last game against FC Pune City did not help either.

According to sources, Westwood has raised a few questions about Sheringham’s training methods, something that has not gone down too well with the former Manchester United man. To add to that, the ex-Bengaluru manager is also said to be have been displeased with Sheringham’s tactics during the ATK-Pune game.

With differences between the manager and the technical director propping up, it seems that the latter could soon part ways with the club, despite the fact that the ISL has just gotten underway.

What’s next?

ATK are now set to face a stern test as they get set for an away game at Jamshedpur FC, who have looked solid in their first two ISL games. The defending champions need to pull up their socks against Steve Coppell’s side if they want to register their first win.

Author’s take

Such differences within the camp never do anyone any good, and it would be better for the two to resolve their difference, and work together, for the greater good of the club.