Catala's Kerala mission: 'Change the mentality' | OneFootball

Catala Sets Sights on Mentality Shift at Kerala Blasters

New Kerala Blasters head coach David Catala has identified changing the team's mentality as his immediate priority as he takes charge of the struggling Indian Super League (ISL) side.

"I would like to change the mentality of the players. I know this season has been very hard for them and I would like to change things mentally, to help them compete with another kind of mood," Catala said during his introduction at Nehru Stadium.

The 44-year-old Spaniard arrives at a challenging time for the Kochi-based club, which finished eighth in the ISL table this season. After three consecutive playoff appearances under Ivan Vukomanovic, the Blasters endured a disappointing campaign that has now seen three different coaches in the dugout.

Catala becomes the third manager this season following Mikael Stahre and interim head coach T.G. Purushothaman. With the Super Cup less than 20 days away in Bhubaneswar, the former central defender has limited time for assessment.

"It's clear we need to build a new team and new players. Coming now also gives me a good idea what we need for the future, to have a good team and to try to get the maximum in the next season," explained Catala, who played over 500 professional matches before transitioning to coaching five years ago.

Defense was Kerala's main weakness this season, conceding 37 goals while scoring 33, with many coming in the final minutes of matches. Catala plans to address this issue through balance.

"We will try to find the balance to be a compact team and at the same time be an aggressive team," he stated.

Taking charge of a club with one of the ISL's largest fan bases brings significant pressure, especially following disappointing results that have frustrated supporters. However, Catala, who previously coached leading clubs in Cyprus, Croatia, and Spain's third division, appears undaunted.

"If I decided to be a head coach and before that a professional football player, I would want this pressure. I have to handle this pressure and I like to handle this pressure. I'm ready for that," he affirmed.

His appointment provides an opportunity to evaluate the current squad ahead of next season's rebuild, with the immediate focus on changing the atmosphere within a team that appears dejected after a difficult campaign.

Source: SportStar