Kerala Blasters FC, a team in the Indian Super League (ISL), has officially announced the hiring of Mikael Stahre as their new head coach.
Stahre, from Sweden, will take over from Ivan Vukomanovic and has signed a two-year contract, committing to lead Kerala Blasters FC until 2026.
Mikael Stahre: Leading Kerala Blasters FC into a New Era
Bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record, Mikael Stahre’s appointment signals an exciting new chapter for the Blasters. With over two decades of coaching experience, Stahre is renowned for his tactical acumen and leadership qualities, having managed prominent teams across various leagues and countries.
Throughout his career, Stahre has overseen more than 400 matches with clubs like AIK (Sweden), Panionios (Greece), IFK Göteborg (Sweden), Dalian Yifang (China), BK Häcken (Sweden), San Jose Earthquakes (USA), Sarpsborg 08 (Norway), and Uthai Thani (Thailand).
Stahre’s notable achievements include leading AIK to the Swedish Allsvenskan title, Svenska Cupen, and Supercupen, as well as guiding IFK Göteborg to Svenska Cupen success.
Upon joining Kerala Blasters FC, Stahre expressed his excitement, stating, “After some really inspiring & positive discussions with the management, I’m delighted to be joining Kerala Blasters – a fantastic privilege!
“I am very proud to be able to continue my coaching career in Asia and to explore my 3rd country on this beautiful continent.
“I look forward to coming to India soon and meeting everyone. Let’s do some great things together. Go, blasters!”
Karolis Skinkys, Sporting Director, praised Stahre’s appointment, highlighting his hunger, motivation, and extensive experience.
He said, “We followed our process while recruiting the new coach. It was a long marathon of many interviews and discussions to decide who fit the role best.
“Mikael is an excellent candidate, full of hunger and motivation, who ticked all the boxes of what we were looking for in our coach. He possesses immense experience and strong leadership. I’m happy to have Mikael on board and I look forward to working together.”
Stahre’s coaching journey began with Vasby United before achieving success with AIK and IFK Göteborg.
Mikael Stahre: A Global Coaching Odyssey Begins at Kerala Blasters FC
Stahre’s coaching journey is marked by a diverse array of experiences across multiple continents. Beginning his career with Vasby United, he quickly ascended to AIK in 2008, securing a Swedish League Title and Swedish Cup double the following year. His international stint began with Greek side Panionos in 2010, followed by a return to Sweden to coach IFK Göteborg, leading them to a Swedish Cup triumph in 2014.
Transitioning to China, Stahre guided the recently relegated Dalian Yifeng to a commendable third-place finish in the Chinese second division, narrowly missing out on promotion. With a notable record of 26-13-9, he left his mark before returning to Sweden in 2016 to coach BK Hacken, propelling them from 10th place to a record top-four finish in his sole season.
His coaching ventures extended to the USA, Norway, Sweden, and Thailand, enriching his global perspective on the game. Beyond head coaching, Stahre dedicated 14 years to youth coaching with Gröndals, Hammarby, and AIK, culminating in a national title with the AIK Under-19 team in 2004.
Stahre’s appointment heralds a new era for Kerala Blasters FC, as he becomes the first Swede ever to helm an ISL club, bringing with him a wealth of international experience and a distinguished coaching pedigree.
The club is confident that his leadership will inspire the team to excel and contend for silverware in the upcoming seasons. The new coach is expected to join the team at the start of preseason.
