Kerala Blasters FC are approaching the 2025–26 Indian Super League season not as a club chasing short-term stardom, but as one that has fundamentally rebuilt its sporting and organisational foundations.
After a turbulent 2024–25 campaign that ended without a playoff berth and was followed by administrative and licensing challenges, the Kochi-based club has responded with what it calls a “strategic reset” a shift away from marquee-driven spending towards sustainability, youth development and institutional stability.
At the heart of this reset is a major change in governance. Abhik Chatterjee’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer in October 2024 signalled a move toward professionalised, club-first management. Chatterjee, who has previously held senior roles at NorthEast United, Odisha FC and in Super League Kerala, now oversees commercial operations and institutional growth, allowing Whole-time Director Nikhil B. Nimmagadda to focus on long-term infrastructure and strategic vision.
Together with Sporting Director Karolis Skinkys and head coach David Català, the Blasters are working within a clearly defined footballing ecosystem one that prioritises academy pathways, cost control and a coherent playing identity.
The Sanctuary: A long-awaited training home
Perhaps the most transformative development is the opening of The Sanctuary, Kerala Blasters’ first purpose-built training facility. Spread across 7,140 square metres at Sree Narayana Vidyapeetam in Thrippunithura, the centre finally gives the club a permanent technical base after more than a decade of relying on rented grounds.
The facility includes a FIFA-dimension Bermuda grass pitch with advanced drainage and irrigation, medical and analysis rooms, media operations areas and modern dressing rooms. More than just a venue, The Sanctuary is designed as an integrated ecosystem where the senior team, reserves and academy players operate together, creating a direct pathway from youth football to the first team.
For a club that has historically struggled to convert its enormous fanbase into sustainable footballing output, this infrastructure is arguably the most important signing of the season.
A smarter foreign core
On the pitch, Kerala Blasters have also recalibrated their recruitment strategy. The five-month delay to the ISL season forced several high-profile foreigners to leave in search of competitive football, but rather than replacing them with costly stars, the club opted for a more calculated rebuild.
The headline signing is Spanish striker Víctor Bertomeu, a physically imposing forward with proven goal-scoring pedigree across Spain, Hong Kong and Indonesia. He joins a restructured foreign group that includes Portuguese attacker Tiago Alves, German youngster Marlon Roos Trujillo, French winger Kévin Yoke, defensive midfielder Matías Hernández and centre-forward Koldo Obieta, who has already delivered in the AIFF Super Cup with three goals in two matches .
Rather than chasing reputations, the Blasters have targeted versatility, tactical fit and affordability essential traits in a season that will be played in a shortened, single round-robin format.
Domestic backbone and youth emphasis
Equally important has been the strengthening of the Indian core. Veteran midfielder Rowllin Borges brings composure and experience in the middle, while the extensions of Sandeep Singh and Kerala-born academy product Sreekuttan M.S. underline the club’s renewed commitment to local talent . This aligns with Chatterjee’s stated vision: reduce reliance on inflated ISL transfer fees by developing players internally and building long-term football capital rather than short-term results.
Català’s tactical imprint
Under Spanish coach David Català, Kerala Blasters are evolving toward a more structured, possession-based style that uses a classic No. 9 to create space for runners and wide players. Early signs were evident in the AIFF Super Cup, where the Blasters beat Rajasthan United 1–0 and thrashed Sporting Club Delhi 3–0, with Obieta’s movement and finishing central to both victories .
With Bertomeu now added to the frontline, Català has two physical strikers capable of anchoring his attacking system a major upgrade from the improvised line-ups of last season.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Off the field, Kerala Blasters are also marking their 12th year through the “Blasters Bloom” campaign, inspired by the Neelakurinji flower that blooms once every 12 years in Kerala’s Western Ghats. The club’s new kits reflect this symbolism, with Malayalam inscriptions and regional motifs woven into the designs to reinforce cultural identity and fan connection . In a league often criticised for being detached from local roots, this emphasis on Kerala’s language and heritage is a powerful differentiator.
The ISL 2025–26 season will be one of the most unusual in the league’s history. With only a single round-robin format across 14 teams, every match carries heightened importance. Kerala Blasters begin their campaign with a daunting away fixture against Mohun Bagan Super Giant on February 14, while their home games may shift from Kochi to Kozhikode, bringing them closer to the football-mad Malabar region .
For a club that has endured administrative uncertainty, licensing issues and financial strain, simply reaching this starting line is an achievement in itself.
Kerala Blasters FC are no longer chasing quick fixes. With The Sanctuary in place, a balanced squad assembled, and a governance structure focused on sustainability, the club has finally built a platform that matches the scale of its support base. Whether or not silverware arrives this season, the Blasters have already taken a decisive step toward long-term footballing credibility one rooted in infrastructure, youth and institutional clarity rather than fleeting stardom.
