In 2019-20, Kibu Vicuna led Mohun Bagan to their second I-league title. Vicuna had a perfect start to his managerial campaign in Indian football as this was his maiden season in the country. In fact, Vicuna was in contention to once again be the head of the ATK Mohun Bagan FC for the upcoming season of the Hero Indian Super League but the club handed over the duties to Antonio Lopez Habas.
Now Vicuna will take the coaching mantle for Kerala Blasters but he revealed that he will always have a good sentiment for Mohun Bagan as the club treated him with great respect in the last season. Vicuna also added that he will look to do his best for Kerala Blasters and deliver the goods for the club in the upcoming season by getting the best out of the players.
“I will always have good sentiment for Mohun Bagan and they were fantastic and they treated me very well,” said Kibu Vicuna. “But I am very happy to be in Kerala Blasters. I will do my best and the people have received me very well. We are trying to create a good team and play good football. Tomorrow is the first game and we will play many more in the season as well,” he added.
“In football, you will always have a pint to prove. Last season’s ISL was tough. The level of coaches and teams is very even and each game is going to be tough. But I have confidence in my squad and in the way we train,” Kibu Vicuna continued.
Meanwhile, 11 teams will participate in the ISL for the first time and thus Kerala Blasters didn’t have an option to choose big goalkeepers. However, keepers like Bilal Khan, Albino Gomes, and Prabhu Sukhan Singh Gill will look to give their best. Vicuna added that they will have four number one keepers to choose from.
“We have some good goalkeepers and are happy with the keepers we have. They have a good competition for first place in the team. We will see how things are going but we will see,” he said.
“We have four number one keepers. We have been working with them and have been happy with the way they have been training and performing in friendly games. We will have to choose one for the game tomorrow,” Kibu Vicuna concluded.
Kerala Blasters had finished the previous season at the seventh place and Vicuna will aim to help his team turn the tables in the upcoming season.
Blasters will open their ISL 2020:21 campaign against ATK Mohun Bagan on November 20 at GMC Stadium Bambolim.
