Kerala Blasters FC

Kerala Blasters FC Secures Contract Extension with full-back Naocha Singh

Kerala Blasters FC is delighted to announce the extension of full-back Naocha Singh’s contract, committing him to the club until 2025.

Arriving on loan from Mumbai City FC last season, Naocha Singh made a significant impact, featuring in 21 matches across various tournaments including the Indian Super League, Kalinga Super Cup, and the Durand Cup.

His performances through the season showcased his prowess in both defensive and offensive roles, solidifying his position as a key asset for the team.

The club expresses confidence in Naocha’s ability to continue contributing to its success in the upcoming season. We extend our warmest wishes to Naocha Singh and look forward to witnessing his continued excellence on the field.

Sponsorship Executive – full time

Job Title Sponsorship Executive
Position Type Full Time
Reports to Chief Revenue Officer
Location Hybrid

About:

Kerala Blasters Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in Kochi, Kerala, that competes in the Indian Super League. The club is built on three strong pillars of Collectivism, Inclusivity and Sportsmanship, KBFC aims to being the biggest Football Club in India that generates young and talented players who not just represents the club in the National level but also the country in an international playing field, thereby reinforcing the legacy of Kerala towards the sport.

Purpose:

Ready to step into the shoes of a Sponsorship Executive at KBFC? In this role, you’ll be instrumental in assisting our Chief Revenue Officer in managing sponsorship agreements and fostering strong relationships with our sponsors. Your efforts will directly contribute to our revenue growth and enhance our brand’s standing, delivering an exceptional experience for our stakeholders alike. If you’re driven and passionate with a knack for strategic thinking, we want you on our team. Join us and help shape the future of sponsorship at KBFC.

Responsibilities:

  • Sponsorship Acquisition: Assist in identifying potential sponsors and pitching sponsorship opportunities to them.
  • Proposal Development: Support in creating compelling sponsorship proposals tailored to the needs and objectives of potential sponsors.
  • Contract Negotiation: Assist in negotiating sponsorship agreements, ensuring terms are mutually beneficial and aligned with club objectives.
  • Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with existing sponsors, serving as a primary point of contact for their inquiries and needs.
  • Activation Planning: Collaborate with internal teams to develop activation plans that maximize sponsor visibility and engagement during club events and matches.
  • Asset Management: Oversee the inventory of sponsorship assets and ensure proper utilization by sponsors according to contractual agreements.
  • Performance Tracking: Assist in tracking sponsorship performance metrics and providing regular reports to sponsors on the impact of their investments.
  • Budget Management: Support the Sponsorship Manager in managing the sponsorship budget and ensuring expenses stay within allocated limits.
  • Event Coordination: Assist in coordinating sponsor-related events, hospitality experiences, and other activations before, during, and after matches.
  • Market Research: Stay updated on industry trends and competitor sponsorships to identify new opportunities and maintain a competitive edge.

Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Sports Management, or related field.
  • Prior experience of 2-3 in sponsorship, marketing, or sales roles, preferably within the sports industry.
  • Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite .
  • Knowledge of football and the sports sponsorship landscape is preferred
  • Flexibility to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate match schedules and sponsor events.
  • Willingness to travel occasionally for sponsor meetings and events

Interested candidates to send CV along with cover letter to careers@kbfcofficial.com.

Subject of the email must be “Sponsorship Executive – Kerala Blasters Football Club”

Merchandise and E-commerce Manager – full time

Job Title Merchandise and E-commerce Manager
Position Type Full Time
Reports to Chief Revenue Officer
Location Hybrid

About:

Kerala Blasters Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in Kochi, Kerala, that competes in the Indian Super League. The club is built on three strong pillars of Collectivism, Inclusivity and Sportsmanship, KBFC aims to being the biggest Football Club in India that generates young and talented players who not just represents the club in the National level but also the country in an international playing field, thereby reinforcing the legacy of Kerala towards the sport.

Purpose: 

Are you ready to take charge as our dynamic Merchandise and E-commerce Manager? In this pivotal role, you’ll lead our merchandise business from start to finish, driving product development, optimizing inventory, boosting sales, and ensuring top-notch customer experiences on our e-commerce platform.

If you’re someone with 2-3 years of proven experience in this arena and a genuine passion for the industry, we’re eager to connect with you. Join us in shaping the future of our club’s merchandise endeavours

Responsibilities:

  • Merchandise Strategy: Develop and implement a comprehensive merchandise strategy aligned with the club’s brand identity and fan preferences.
  • Product Development: Collaborate with suppliers and designers to create a diverse range of merchandise items, including apparel, accessories, and novelty items.
  • Inventory Management: Manage merchandise inventory levels, including forecasting demand, ordering stock, and optimizing stock rotation to minimize excess inventory and stockouts.
  • E-commerce Operations: Oversee the day-to-day operations of the club’s e-commerce platform, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for fans.
  • Website Management: Supervise the maintenance and optimization of the club’s website, including product listings, pricing, and promotional campaigns.
  • Sales and Revenue Generation: Develop sales strategies to drive revenue growth through merchandise sales, leveraging both online and offline channels.
  • Marketing and Promotions: Collaborate with the marketing team to develop and execute promotional campaigns to drive traffic and sales on the e-commerce platform.
  • Customer Service: Ensure high-quality customer service standards are maintained, including timely order fulfillment, efficient returns processing, and responsive customer support.
  • Data Analysis: Analyze sales data, website traffic, and customer feedback to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
  • Licensing and Partnerships: Manage licensing agreements with suppliers and partners to expand the range of merchandise offerings and enhance brand visibility.
  • Budget Management: Develop and manage the merchandise and e-commerce budget, ensuring expenses are within allocated limits while maximizing ROI.
  • Team Leadership: Lead and mentor a team of merchandising and e-commerce professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.Craft and implement inventive social media tactics aimed at enhancing brand visibility, fostering interaction, and fostering expansion.

Requirements:

  • Master’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, E-commerce, or related field.
  • Prior experience in a similar role with experience of 3-5 Years within a football club or sports organization or in retail merchandising and e-commerce sales is highly desirable.
  • Strong understanding of e-commerce platforms, website management, and digital marketing strategies.
  • Proficiency in e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Magento, or WooCommerce.
  • Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions.
  • Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
  • Passion for football and knowledge of football culture and fan behavior.
  • Flexibility to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate match schedules and promotional events.
  • Willingness to travel occasionally for merchandise sourcing, industry events, and promotional activities.

Interested candidates to send CV along with cover letter to careers@kbfcofficial.com.

Subject of the email must be “Merchandise and E-commerce Manager – Kerala Blasters Football Club”

Kerala Blasters FC Part Ways with Ivan Vukomanovic

Kochi – April 26, 2024 – Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) today announced that the club has parted ways its Head Coach, Ivan Vukomanovic. 

Having joined the Club in 2021, Ivan Vukomanovic has left an indelible mark on the club. Under his stewardship, the Club qualified for the ISL playoffs consecutively for three years, including a ISL runners-up finish in his maiden season. The Club also recorded its highest points total, and its highest goals scored in a single season in 2022.

Sporting Director Karolis Skinkys: “Coach Ivan Vukomanovic’s influence on the team development over the past three years has been truly invaluable. Working alongside him has been both a privilege and a pleasure. I’m immensely grateful for his contributions to Kerala Blasters FC, and I wish him all the best in all his future pursuits.”

Club Director Nikhil B Nimmagadda: “This has been a difficult decision for us. I have had a trusting, open & friendly relationship with Ivan from day one. While the change is difficult, we feel it is the right time to make the next step. I am very grateful to Ivan for what he has done for KBFC, the stability he brought, & the wonderful foundation he has set for the Club’s future. He is and will always remain a dear friend & an integral member of our Blasters family. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

The Club would like to thank Coach Ivan for his efforts, dedication, and professionalism throughout his time at the Club. 

The search for a new head coach will begin immediately, with the aim of appointing a suitable candidate who aligns with the Club’s vision and objectives. 

Web Designer – Intern

Job TitleWeb- Designer
Position TypeInternship
Reports toChief Marketing Officer
LocationHybrid

About:

    Kerala Blasters Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in Kochi, Kerala, that competes in the Indian Super League. The club is built on three strong pillars of Collectivism, Inclusivity and Sportsmanship, KBFC aims to being the biggest Football Club in India that generates young and talented players who not just represents the club in the National level but also the country in an international playing field, thereby reinforcing the legacy of Kerala towards the sport.

Purpose:

    We are seeking a creative and motivated Web Designer Intern to join our team. This internship offers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in designing and developing engaging websites of our organization and subsidiary organizations. The ideal candidate should have a passion for web design, proficiency in relevant design tools, and a desire to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities:

● Collaborate with the design and development team to create visually appealing and user-friendly websites.

● Assist in conceptualizing and designing website layouts, graphics, and user interfaces.

● Optimize websites for maximum speed and scalability.

● Conduct website testing and troubleshooting.

● Stay updated on emerging design trends and technologies.

Requirements:

● Proficiency in HTML, CSS, WordPress, Shopify and JavaScript.

● Experience with graphic design software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Sketch.

● Strong understanding of responsive design principles.

● Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

● Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.

● A portfolio showcasing previous web design projects (if available).

Benefits:

● Hands-on experience in a professional work environment.

● Mentorship from experienced designers and developers.

● Networking opportunities within the industry.

● Potential for future employment opportunities based on performance completely at the sole discretion of the company. 

Interested candidates to send CV along with Covering Letter to careers@kbfcofficial.com

Subject of the email must be “Web-designer – Kerala Blasters Football Club” 

Volunteers / Interns required for KBFC Academy

JobVolunteers/ Interns
Position TypeInternship
Reports toAcademy Director
LocationKochi

About:

Kerala Blasters Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in Kochi, Kerala, that competes in the Indian Super League. The club is built on three strong pillars of Collectivism, Inclusivity and Sportsmanship, KBFC aims to being the biggest Football Club in India that generates young and talented players who not just represents the club in the National level but also the country in an international playing field, thereby reinforcingthe legacy of Kerala towards the sport.

Purpose:

To work with the KBFC Academy staffs in successfully organizing various academy and grassroots tournaments/activities.

Responsible for:

● Organising and scheduling of various KBFC academy and grassroots tournaments/activities such as Golden Baby Leagues, Corporate Tournaments, Grassroots festivals etc.
● Helping in registering teams and players for each tournament.
● Ensuring rules and regulations set by the KBFC Academy Operations team in accordance with Children’s
Competition guidelines and AIFF regulations are followed throughout all the tournaments and events.
● Ensuring all the teams and players are aware of the rules and regulations and adhere to it.
● Fostering good sportsmanship in all teams, players, resolving disputes, and addressing bad behavior in a timely manner.
● Ensuring all the necessary match details (final score, goal scorers, team lineup etc) are updated accurately in timely manner.
● Following all match day protocols and checklists.

Who we are looking for:

● Well-versed with Word, Excel and other documenting systems.
● Preferably a person who is a sports management degree holder or a person who is pursuing sports management currently.
● Preferably a person who resides in and around Kochi
● Leadership Orientation
● Accepts accountability for all tasks and is able to take responsibility for outcomes

Interested candidates to send CV along with Covering Letter to careers@kbfcofficial.com. Subject of the email must be “Volunteers/Interns – KBFC Academy”

Injury Update: Adrian Luna

The Club would like to update that, Adrian Luna successfully underwent a minor arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of a chondral knee injury after which he is currently in the process of rest and recovery towards full fitness.

In collaboration with a team of medical experts, the Kerala Blasters medical staff will closely monitor Adrian Luna’s rehabilitation, to ensure a seamless and complete recovery back onto the field of play.

As a beloved member of the Blasters family, we wish Adrian Luna a swift recovery from this setback and hope to see him soon back in action leading the team.

Official Statement: Freddy Lallawmawma

Kerala Blasters FC regrets to announce that our midfielder Freddy Lallawmawma was involved in a serious bike accident late on Thursday night. The player sustained multiple injuries and was promptly admitted to the hospital. We are relieved to inform everyone that following a prompt response from the emergency staff and club medical team, Freddy is currently in stable condition.

The thoughts and well-wishes of everyone at Kerala Blasters are with Freddy during this challenging time. The club’s medical team is closely monitoring his progress, and we will provide further updates as his recovery continues.

We kindly request that the privacy of Freddy and his family be respected during this period, and we appreciate the understanding and support of our fans and the football community at large.

We look forward to seeing Freddy make a speedy recovery and seeing him back on the pitch in due course.

Loan Watch : Bijoy Varghese, Mohammed Saheef, Justine Emmanuel, Sagolsem Bikash Singh

With football season in full swing across India, here’s a look at how the respective seasons of the Club’s loaned players are shaping up currently.

Bijoy Varghese (CB) I-League : Games: 2 | Playing Time: 166 minutes (Inter Kashi)
Young center-back with playing experience within the Kerala Blasters’ first team is currently out on loan leading the defensive line of the newest I-League club side Inter Kashi, adding to his game time and exposure.

Mohammed Saheef (LB) I-League: Games: 2 | Playing Time: 180 minutes (Gokulam Kerala FC)

Saheef a lanky agile full-back who has shown promise through his rise from Kerala Blasters’ development system is currently on a loan tenure with Gokulam Kerala FC gaining the necessary match minutes to hone his skills and continue his growth as a footballer.

Justine Emmanuel (RW) I-League: Games: 2 | Goals: 1 | Playing Time: 38 minutes (Gokulam Kerala FC)

The Nigerian winger who impressed everyone with his brief stint within the KBFC first team at this year’s Durand Cup is already grabbing attention with his impact in the limited game time he has had at Gokulam Kerala FC.
In Gokulam’s fixture against NEROCA last evening, Justine struck his first I-League goal and even earned his team a penalty, adding more anticipation to see how the rest of his season takes shape.

Muhammad Ajsal (CF) – Yet To Play (Inter Kashi)
The talented forward with a habit of finding the back of the net in the developmental football circles is yet to get his first opportunity to enter the field for Inter Kashi, however, it is only a matter of time before this talent from Kozhikode makes his presence felt.

Sagolsem Bikash Singh (LW) – Durand Cup: Games : 3 | Goals: 1 | Playing Time: 229 minutes

I-League: Games: 1 | Playing Time: 44 minutes (Mohammedan SC)

Bikash one of Kerala Blasters’ local signings this year is currently playing an important role in the midfield of Kolkata-based club Mohammedan SC.
He had an impressive outing with the club in this year’s Durand Cup and now would be looking to replicate his performances in the I-League season.

Kerala Blasters FC top of the table after away win against East Bengal FC.

Kolkata : In last evening’s ISL fixture, Kerala Blasters secured three points in their away game against East Bengal FC with a 2-1 scoreline.

Kerala Blasters went into the contest with a largely unchanged starting line-up from their last game against Odisha FC with only difference being Rahul KP making way for striker Dimitrios Diamantakos.

The game started off with both teams looking to stamp their authority, which lead to the game being played with a certain degree of physicality which earned both teams two yellow cards each within the first quarter of the game.

However the visiting team didn’t allow this to effect their gameplan, as the midfield combination of Adrian Luna with Daisuke Sakai build an attack through the heart of the East Bengal defence leading to Daisuke putting a ball from Luna into the back of the net in the 34th minute, registering his first goal in Kerala Blasters colors.

KBFC continued pressing through the rest of the first half, giving literally no access to East Bengal to work their way upto into Blasters’ half of the pitch.

East Bengal came into the second half with three substitutions and renewed vigour to attack and test the resolute Kerala Blasters defence led by the experienced Pritam Kotal.

Despite East Bengal having greater amount of possession and more shots at the goal, the Blasters held on and nulfied every attempt from the Torchbearers to make a comeback into the game.

The resistance was eventually shaken when in the 85th minute Kerala Blasters FC conceded a penalty which was taken by East Bengal skipper Cleiton Silva. However goalkeeper Sachin Suresh rose to the occasion and saved the penalty with a lot of composure.

This moment was utilised by the Blasters unit to counter-attack in numbers soon transpiring into Dimitrios Diamantakos sealing the game in favour of the Blasters with a goal in the 89th minute.

However Diamantakos was penalized with a second yellow card for the game soon after scoring, when he took off his jersey to celebrate his goal.

Thereafter in the dying moments of the game, Blasters conceded another penalty due to a handball error in the box from full-back Sandeep Singh, this time Silva put the ball into the goal with the final whistle following soon after.

The three points earned from this fixture took the Blasters to 13 points from 6 games making them table toppers in the ISL points tally, underlining the consistency shown by the team.

Kerala Blasters will now be looking to continue this momentum when they play their next ISL fixture in Kochi on the 25th November against Hyderabad FC.

Substitutions

Mohammed Aimen [IN] – [OUT] Daisuke Sakai 90+5′

Rahul KP [IN] – [OUT] Kwame Peprah 79′

Mohammed Azhar [IN] – [OUT] Danish Farooq 62′