Kerala Blasters Football Club has announced the appointment of Mikael Stahre, a seasoned Swedish coach, as their new head coach. The 48-year-old tactician has signed a two-year contract, which will see him lead the team until 2026, marking an exciting new chapter for the Blasters.
Mikael Stahre’s Wealth of Experience
Stahre brings a wealth of experience to the club, having managed over 400 matches across various leagues and countries. His coaching career includes stints with prominent teams such as AIK (Sweden), Panionios (Greece), IFK Göteborg (Sweden), Dalian Yifang (China), BK Häcken (Sweden), San Jose Earthquakes (USA), Sarpsborg 08 (Norway), and Uthai Thani (Thailand). Among his notable achievements, Stahre led AIK to the Swedish Allsvenskan title, Svenska Cupen, and Supercupen, while also guiding IFK Göteborg to a Svenska Cupen victory.
Also Read: 21 Coaches complete AFC C Diploma Course in Kohima
Excitement and Anticipation
The new head coach expressed his excitement about joining Kerala Blasters, stating, “After inspiring and positive discussions with the management, I am delighted to continue my coaching career in Asia and explore my third country on the continent. I look forward to coming to India soon, meeting everyone, and doing great things together with the team.”
Karolis Skinkys, the Sporting Director of Kerala Blasters, commented on the appointment, emphasising that the club followed a thorough process while recruiting the new coach. Skinkys described Stahre as an excellent candidate, full of hunger and motivation, who ticked all the boxes of what they were looking for in a coach, possessing immense experience and strong leadership.
A Journey of Success
Stahre’s coaching journey began with Vasby United before he took charge of AIK in 2008, leading them to a Swedish League Title and Swedish Cup double in 2009. After a brief stint with Panionios in Greece, he returned to Sweden to coach IFK Göteborg, guiding them to a Swedish Cup in 2014. His time in China saw him lead Dalian Yifang to a third-place finish in the Chinese second division, while his spell at BK Häcken in Sweden elevated the team from 10th place to a record top-four finish.
In addition to his head coaching roles, Stahre has 14 years of experience in youth coaching with Gröndals, Hammarby, and AIK from 1990-2005, during which he led the AIK Under-19 team to a national title in 2004. His appointment marks a new chapter for Kerala Blasters FC, as he becomes the first Swede to ever manage an Indian Super League club.
Also Read: Nagaland to make historic debut in Miss Universe India; auditions set for July 2
A New Chapter for Kerala Blasters
The club is confident that Mikael Stahre’s leadership will inspire the team to perform at their best and compete for silverware in the coming seasons. The new coach is expected to join the team at the start of the preseason, and fans are eagerly anticipating the impact he will have on the team’s fortunes.
As Kerala Blasters FC embarks on this new journey with Mikael Stahre at the helm, the club and its supporters are filled with optimism and excitement for the future. With Stahre’s extensive experience and proven track record, the Blasters are poised to make a strong statement in the Indian Super League and beyond.
