EXCLUSIVE – ISL 2025-26: Bengaluru FC magician Ashley Westwood sees similar magic at Kerala Blasters

Ashley Westwood is no stranger to Indian football.

He guided Bengaluru FC to the then top-flight title in his and the club’s first season in Indian professional football and won three trophies with the club, becoming a legend among his loyal fans.

Last month, the former Manchester United academy graduate returned to coaching duties in Indian football after four years, taking charge of Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League (ISL).

«I was here from the beginning of the ISL when it was just a six-week competition… and now it has developed into an eight to 10-month competition. So I’ve seen it all. It’s had a tough time over the last year. But like anything, it’s a work in progress, a process,» says Westwood. Sports stars in an exclusive interview.

But unlike in Bengaluru, he is in a precarious position at Kerala Blasters.

The three-time ISL finalist has struggled with form this season, and with no wins in six matches, the Blasters parted ways with head coach David Catala, while their fan club, the Manjapadaboycotted matches involving mismanagement.

«Football is a challenge anyway. Sometimes you get lucky and go to a club mid-season because a coach has done well, and you take over a team at the top of the league, but that’s rare,» says Westwood.

«Normally, if you go to a club halfway through a season, it’s because they’re not doing so well, because a manager has lost his job. At Bengaluru, of course, it was a brand new club. So any challenge is good.»

Westwood opened his Blasters spell on a forgettable note, losing 0-2 to newly formed Sporting Club Delhi. However, he found the perfect opportunity to respond against Bengaluru FC in the match that followed, which the Blasters won for their first win of the season.

«I like challenges. There’s hopefully a lot of improvement to come, and maybe we can do that. I’ve done it before in all the roles I’ve been in. So I hope to do the same again. Let’s see if we can keep improving things,» he says.

The Blue Tigers’ Achilles heel?

There is another side to Westwood beyond domestic football. He has led two Asian camps, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. Both caused significant upsets against India.

In 2024, India lost for the second time ever on home soil to Afghanistan, which turned out to be one of the last matches under coach Igor Stimac. A year later, Hong Kong defeated India in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier. Manolo Marquez, who had stepped into Stimac’s shoes, parted ways shortly afterwards.

So is the Englishman a nemesis for the Indian coaches?

«No, it’s certainly not something personal. Coincidence exists in football. For me, I try to win every game, no matter who it is,» says Westwood.

«My record mainly shows that I have won quite a few games, and unfortunately a few of them have been against India. I don’t look at it as a scalp; I look at it as a football match, and a match that we won.»

It was no surprise that Westwood was one of the names circulating in Indian football circles as a potential coach of the Blue Tigers, first after Stimac and then after Marquez.

«The question has come up many times. I’ve been close to it many times. It hasn’t happened. I’m obviously not going to comment on that specific job where they have a manager,» he says. “But regardless of the job, I focus on what I have to do, which is to improve Kerala Blasters.”

Winds of change at Kerala Blasters

Since his arrival, there have been signs of optimism in the Blasters camp. They have signed former Real Madrid Castilla winger Franchu, who scored the winner on his ISL debut against Bengaluru FC.

«Hopefully it stays that way. It’s simple: you give everything in a relationship and normally you get it back. Football has a unique way of taking care of you if you pay attention to your work rate. That’s all we’re trying to do,» Westwood said.

But the tactician knows that mistakes can cost the team dearly, especially in a shortened season where each team only plays each other once.

Despite the win, the Blasters remain second from bottom, and losses from here, especially against bottom-placed Mohammedan Sporting, could see the club struggle to stay afloat this season.

«We won’t get into a relegation fight. That’s my belief, not an expectation. I’m confident in myself… There’s definitely an area where we can improve and get some wins. So I don’t care where they are. I’m just trying to see where we can finish,» he said.

Bengaluru FC earned a place in Indian football discussions in its first season under Westwood. The Blasters, who slipped out of that discourse with disappointing results, will try to follow a similar path under the same man in the dugout.

Published on April 14, 2026