New Delhi, September 17 (Daily Kiran) : The Kannur Warriors are determined to secure their second consecutive title in the Super League Kerala (SLK), according to their new manager, Andre Chernyshev. However, he acknowledges that the path to victory will not be easy, as rival teams have bolstered their rosters, making the competition fiercer than before.
Last season, Kannur finished fourth in the league stage but qualified for the playoffs and ultimately claimed their first championship by defeating the 2024 champions, Calicut Thrissur Magic. To defend the SLK title, they have brought in Chernyshev, the Russian coach who led them to victory against the same team in the finals. He is now focused on repeating that success, though he emphasizes the increased challenges they will face.
In a recent interview ahead of the league’s kickoff on September 25, Chernyshev stated, “When you join a champion team, there can only be one goal: to win this title again.” Previously, he managed Thrissur Magic and played a crucial role in guiding them to the finals. In the inaugural season of SLK in 2024, his team finished last, while Calicut FC took home the title.
Chernyshev noted that last season, all teams aimed to defeat Calicut. Now, as the reigning champions, the Kannur Warriors will be the target for other teams, who will be even more motivated to claim victory. He believes that the presence of several skilled coaches in the league will intensify the competition.
He remarked, “We want to win this title, but we need to understand that this season will be tougher for us. Last season, Calicut was the reigning champion, and all five other teams wanted to beat them. They came in with double the strength and energy, and now we find ourselves in the same position; we are the current champions, and we must recognize that the other five teams will be fighting against us.”
Chernyshev, 58, highlighted the presence of experienced coaches like Vital Borkelmans, former coach of Jordan, and Karim Bencherifa, former coach of Mohun Bagan, as well as Ian Gillan, who led the first season’s champions. These managers will undoubtedly challenge him and his team.
He added, “Moreover, if you look at the current landscape, teams will be stronger than last season. All teams have brought in experienced coaches who have worked at high levels. One coach is from the Jordan national team, another has worked with Mohun Bagan, and others who may not have been very experienced last season have gained valuable insights. I also see that teams are bringing in better players compared to last season, so the SLK will be even more competitive this year, and we need to be prepared for that.”
Chernyshev brings a wealth of coaching experience, having worked with various clubs around the world for the past 24 years. He has also found success in India, particularly with Mohun Bagan, where he helped secure their first Kolkata Football League title in 40 years. Under his guidance, the team reached the finals of the Durand Cup in 2021 and the I-League in the 2021-22 season, ultimately winning their first I-League title in 2023-24.
Analyzing his team, Chernyshev noted that the club has retained its core players while adding some promising talent for the upcoming season. He stated, “They have made efforts to keep many players from last season, which was essential since they were champions. We then focused on new players, and I am satisfied with our efforts to find good talent. Now we have 25 players on the team, and I am really pleased with them.”
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