Ivan Vukomanović is no mere tactician; he is an architect of belief, a sculptor of resilience. Under his watchful eye, Kerala Blasters have not just played football—they have lived it, breathed it, and bled for it. With each game, he has woven a tale of grit and passion, etching his name into the heartbeats of the Manjappada faithful.
And there he stands—calm amidst the storm, unwavering in resolve. His crisp white shirt, a beacon on the touchline, a symbol of quiet authority. Like a maestro guiding his orchestra, he orchestrates every move, every press, every counter, turning the pitch into his grand canvas.
In an exclusive conversation with FieldVision, Kerala’s beloved Aashan unravels the journey, the battles fought, and the dreams yet to be chased. Step in, and witness the mind behind the magic.
On Taking a Season Off
After parting ways, Ivan decided to take a break from football. When asked about his one-year hiatus, he kept it simple—“It’s personal, but I’ll be back soon.” No frills, no drama—just a man who knows his next move.
“After the club’s direction made the decision to sack me, I decided to take one season off and spend some time with my family. I quit my home and family in 1996 and haven’t been around much since I left my home. I needed to be present because my stepfather is fighting and struggling with cancer. I felt that it was needed to be present as we all were going through one tough period.”
Further adding , “With all the opportunities and offers we face in our lifetime, we are first of all human beings. I was intentionally turning down offers in the last period. I will try to find a convenient offer in the next couple of months and try to be back in business for the next season. I am receiving calls with offers from different sides and hope there will be some updates soon about my next professional step.”
Reflecting on His KBFC Journey
During his tenure, Kerala Blasters saw a resurgence—better performances, unforgettable moments, and a renewed fighting spirit. Reflecting on those highs and the heartbreak at Fatorda three years ago, Ivan admitted to feeling both saddened and grateful—disappointed at not delivering the ultimate victory but thankful for the journey and everything it taught him.
“We are all aware of the situation the club was struggling in for a couple of years in a row before we arrived in 2021. Together with the direction, medical, technical staff, and all people working in the club, we managed to achieve some nice moments in all three seasons. There were modifications and some differences in approach which allowed us to get some positivity and nice results. I am thankful that the club’s direction recognized that as a positive approach and followed us on our path. Especially in the first season when we were still operating in a bubble in Goa. It was a challenging period and personally, we created many nice memories.“
The Serbian went on to highlight the changes in club’s approach towards games and said, “I think we changed the way we were facing all opponents and that positivity within the group allowed us to reach the finals. Unfortunately, we lost it on penalties, but that happens in football. We were sorry to not get that trophy knowing how much it would mean to all people from Kerala. Looking back at all that has happened, I wouldn’t change anything. These memories should stay as they are because they created something nice that we all in Kerala are proud of. “
On the Walkover Controversy
Addressing the controversial walkoff in the 2022-23 playoffs against Bengaluru, Ivan didn’t waver. He stood by his decision—firm and with no regrets.
“It was an uncommon situation with all the controversy and everything that was happening around it beforehand and afterwards. From today’s perspective, I would do the same. It is anyway far away in the past. Case closed.”
The Impact of KBFC’s Fanbase
Kerala Blasters’ fans have always been the heartbeat of the club, and their impact is undeniable. And for Ivan, there was never a doubt—his love for Manjappada remains as strong as ever.
“I was answering this question many times. The fan base of KBFC is huge, one of the biggest in Asia. The fans have a huge impact on the team and club, especially while playing at home. It had absolutely a huge impact on me as well, especially during the suspension period. I can’t be thankful enough for all the support and memories we all built together. The fans played a crucial role in many games in Kochi, pushing the team to make some unforgettable turnovers.
“Thanks to them, we managed to win some important games at home and away. The fans know that they will always be in my heart. They all made me feel at home, and I will always express my gratitude towards them. Kerala will always stay in my heart,” he quoted expressing gratitude to the fans and the state he called home in India
On Developing Young Players
Developing young talent was at the heart of Ivan’s tenure. Under his watch, players like Prabhsukhan Gill, Vibin Mohanan, Naocha Singh, Mohammed Aimen, Mohammed Azhar, and Sachin Suresh got their breakthrough on the big stage. However, he didn’t shy away from expressing concern—some of them, he felt, weren’t receiving the care and attention they deserved.
“We managed to develop some good young players during our period in KBFC, which was one of our main projects. They all have the potential to have nice football careers. It is sad that some of them haven’t been playing a lot in the last season. It is crucial for them to continue developing, practicing, and playing. Many of them reached the national team level. I hope the club will continue to develop young players and give them time to become important parts of the club and national teams.”
Interest from Other Clubs
With his reputation, it was no surprise that clubs came calling after his Kerala Blasters exit—East Bengal FC being the most prominent after Carles Cuadrat’s dismissal . Addressing the rumors, Ivan set the record straight.
“Several clubs from ISL approached me after it was announced that I quit KBFC. Yes, it is true that East Bengal was one of those clubs. They approached me last September with the offer to join them. Many players from the current East Bengal squad we developed and coached in KBFC, and it was kind of normal for the management to get in contact with such an offer. “
However, Aashan rejected the offer as he wanted to take a break from football after spending 28 years away from home, “Like I said, I decided to stay at home and not work during this season due to personal reasons. The management of East Bengal had an understanding of my decision.”
The Possibility of Returning to KBFC
Addressing the buzz around a potential return to Kerala Blasters, Ivan didn’t shy away. While the rumors may fuel excitement, he revealed that there’s nothing in motion—at least for now. But with football, as always, the future remains unpredictable.
“No, I had no conversation with the KBFC management regarding the open head coach position whatsoever. I understand that there will always be rumors about that, seeing that we managed to break many records and create many nice memories.”
“Currently, it’s all speculation. In football, you never know—my football life experience showed me that anything is possible in football. I would certainly consider being the head coach of KBFC again in the future. Kerala is my home. It would be like going back home,” he mentioned
His Tactical Approach
Despite the criticisms surrounding his tactical rigidity, Ivan never wavered. When asked about it, he stood firm—his methods, his philosophy, no second thoughts.
“I respect all opinions; that doesn’t bother me at all. People sometimes bother with tactics, analysis, etc. That is nothing but a small piece of the football game. The fact is that we managed to break many records: most goals scored in one season, least goals conceded in one season, three seasons in a row in playoffs, most victories, most clean sheets, and the longest undefeated streak in a season. That’s part of tactics as well. If anyone thinks that’s rigid, then let it be.”
Further sharing insights on his tactical astuteness he narrated, “Personally, if a coach changes his team or tactics often, it means that he is not certain in his choices and doubts his decisions. That reflects on the players, and they recognize that the coach has lost his path, leading to negativity, lost games, and changing technical staff.
“A good coach sticks to his plan, vision, and approach. The players recognize good intentions and follow the coach to victory. At the end of the day, it’s about winning games, whether with rigid or any other tactics,” he said.
On His Experience in India
When asked over email about Indian football—its quality, its future, and how the journey has shaped him—Ivan kept it simple. “A few words can’t do it justice,” he replied, letting the experience speak for itself.
“That’s a topic to write a book about. India is a marvelous country and environment. It certainly made a huge impact on me in many ways. India changes all perspectives because there is nothing like India around the world. Only the one who spent some time in India knows that. I will be forever thankful for having the opportunity and privilege to spend three years in India and Indian football.”
Signing of players
When asked about the players he wished he had coached, Ivan shifted the focus. For him, it was never about personal preferences—it was always about the project, and the bigger picture.
“No, not per se. The club was not in situation to sign some players knowing they earn fortune comparing to our budget. There we some domestic players I had intention to sign but they all decided to go to another clubs seeing the fact they were getting more lucrative contracts elsewhere. We were operating within our budget and we were signing players we could afford.”
Legacy and Reflections
Looking back, Ivan cherishes it all—the relationships forged, the experiences gained, and the journey that still lies ahead.
“I was always saying, ‘Don’t judge me before or during my time in the club… Judge me after I’m gone and not there anymore.’ Apart from all the trophies, records, and medals I won in my life, my biggest pride is the fans, players, technical & medical staff members, and people working in clubs who still call and send messages saying that it was an enormous pleasure to work together. That means a lot to me. The knowledge and legacy we leave behind to our youngsters is the most important part of our lives.”
More Than a Coach—A Bond That Lives On
As our conversation with Ivan Vukomanović came to an end, one thing was clear—his bond with Kerala goes beyond football. More than just a coach, he became a symbol of passion, unity, and resilience for the Blasters faithful. Whether it was his fearless approach on the sidelines or the heartfelt moments with fans, he left an indelible mark on Indian football.
And who could forget the iconic Kadumkappi? A song that became the soundtrack of his connection with the Keralites, echoing through stadiums and hearts alike. As he moves forward in his journey, one thing remains certain—Kerala will always have a special place for Ashan, and his legacy will live on in every Manjappada cheer.
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