David Catala says Kerala Blasters FC needs to improve a lot to reap positive results

Kerala Blasters FC head coach David Catala said the club needs to improve a lot to get the desired results. The Yellow Tuskers registered a 2-0 win against East Bengal in the Kalinga Super Cup under Catala’s first game as manager.

Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters could not qualify for the ISL playoffs after finishing in eighth place in the standings with eight wins in 24 matches and a total of 29 points.

The Spaniard said he wants to take out all the bad energy and guide the players on the right path.

David Catala said in the interview with Sportstar when he was asked what he meant when he said he wanted to change the players’ mindset after a disappointing season, “Yes, we’re on the way. We’re working on it. My first target indeed is to remove all the bad energy. I notice a little change about the team, the mentality. We need to improve a lot, but we’re on the right path.”

The gaffer said he needs to adapt as quickly as possible and said the players need to improve.

He added, “There will be things to improve all the time. I have to adapt as fast as I can since I’m new and coming from another country. We are trying to improve in this short period of time, but it’s not easy. The team is going step by step with the performance it wants.”

The manager said his role is to not improve Indian players but to pick the best XI for the team, who can give their best performance. 

He concluded, “Yes, it’s true that the Indian players have to develop and have to grow. On whether it’s my responsibility, it’s not. I will use the best 11 players who I feel can put up the best performance. I don’t care if they are 17 years old or 36. This is something [developing players] the club has to look into. The basics are to invest in the academies. You have a lot of population here and for sure you will have good players, but they need to have the basis to grow. I like to work with young players and help them develop. If they show me that they can play, I’ll be the first to give them the chance.”

Kerala Blasters FC will take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Kalinga Stadium on Saturday.