ISL: ATK rope in Coppell as head coach for upcoming season

Two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions ATK on Monday announced the appointment of former Jamshedpur FC and Kerala Blasters head coach Steve Coppell for the upcoming season.

ATK, who endured a wretched campaign this season, were without a head coach going into the 2018-19 season after a failed experiment last season with Teddy Sheringham.

Sheringham was asked to vacate office after a string of poor results as technical director Ashley Westwood, who took over the reins from the former Manchester United striker, also suffered a similar fate.

Star signing Robbie Keane was announced as player-manager towards the end of the season as Westwood parted ways and ATK ended the season ninth on the table with 16 points from 18 games.

Coppell comes in to steady the ship after guiding Kerala to the final of the 2016 edition before taking charge of new entrants Jamshedpur last season. The former Manchester United player took them to a fifth place on the table in their inaugural season.

"I am delighted to accept the position of head coach for ATK for the coming season. ATK has a proud history in the ISL and I hope that with the hard work and skill, we can match the ambitions of our fans and everyone associated with the Club," Coppell said in a statement.

ATK principal owner Sanjiv Goenka said: "It has been our effort to build an experienced and balanced side, which will be enhanced with Coppell joining the squad this season. I am hopeful Steve will lead the way for ATK with his unique strategies and his enthusiasm."

--IANS

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