Under the guidance of Ashley Westwood, Kerala Blasters have seen a marked improvement in their on-field performance in the latter half of the Indian Super League 2025-26 season, transforming from a struggling side to one with a formidable late-season run.
A Resurgence in Form
Westwood, appointed head coach on March 27, 2026, took over a team mired in a dismal start to the campaign. The Blasters had secured a mere one point out of a possible eighteen prior to his arrival, prompting the dismissal of David Català. Westwood's tenure began with an immediate challenge, a 0-2 defeat against Delhi SC, but the tide began to turn.
The team has since recorded four consecutive wins and maintained an unbeaten home run under Westwood's command. This late-season form, accumulating 16 points from seven games at an average of 2.3 points per game, has been characterized by an increased efficiency in open play and a tactical flexibility that saw the team adapt formations as needed. Key players such as Freddy Lallawmawma, Vipin Mohanan, and R.V. Hormipam have reportedly prospered under his coaching. The dramatic 2-1 victory over Bengaluru FC, marked by goals from Victor Bertomeu and Francisco Feuillasser after conceding an own goal, exemplifies this resurgence.
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Westwood himself described the transformation as moving from a "sinking ship" to a "runaway train," expressing satisfaction with the team's strong finish despite the season's conclusion.
Context of the Season
The 2025-26 ISL season saw a competitive title race, with teams like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in contention on the final day. Kerala Blasters, however, found themselves in a precarious position, initially described as relegation-threatened, occupying 13th place on the 14-team table with five losses in their opening six matches.
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Westwood's Background
Ashley Westwood is a familiar figure in Indian football. Prior to his role at Kerala Blasters, he managed Bengaluru FC, leading them to two I-League titles and a Federation Cup win during his tenure. He also had a stint with the Hong Kong national football team, where he averaged 1.70 points per match over 20 games, a performance noted as one of his career bests after his time with Bengaluru FC. His previous coaching assignments in India also include spells at ATK and Punjab FC. Westwood's appointment at Kerala Blasters was initially intended to run until the end of the current ISL season, with the club highlighting his "structure, resilience, and winning pedigree."
