ISL 2017/18: Why ATK may have to look for a new head coach despite having Ashley Westwood
Former Manchester United legend Teddy Sheringham became the third 'head coach' to part ways with his club, after ATK announced his sacking on the eve of their crunch home game against Chennaiyin FC.
Director of football Ashley Westwood was subsequently named the interim head coach for the defending ISL champions. The 41-year-old enjoys massive popularity in the Indian football circles, after having won the I-League with Bengaluru FC in their debut season, and repeating the same feat two years later.
Poor performances on the pitch seem to have concerned the management, who took the decision to sack Westwood. With the former Tottenham Hotspur striker gone, looked like the perfect opportunity for Westwood to take over at the City of Joy and stamp his authority on the ISL.
However, according to the current rules of the ISL, he may last only three matches on the sidelines.
Westwood has been named the 'interim manager' at the club, and according to the rules, an interim manager can only be in charge of a team for a maximum of three matches.
The only way Westwood can become the head coach is that if he can get a 'marquee coach' status from ISL. Managing a top-division club in their own country, or performing the role of a head coach of any international football team qualifies a coach for this status.
The only time Westwood has been a manager in England, was when he took over the role at Kettering Town in the Southern League Premier Division. Apart from that, he has managed BFC and Penang FA in the Malaysia Premier League.
Without any international coaching experience, Westwood does not come anywhere near to fulfilling this criterion. However, it is up to the ISL authorities to decide, whether they want to make an exception in the two-time I-League winners' case.
While it still remains to be seen whether Ashley Westwood makes the cup for the marquee coach status or not, the former BFC boss missing out on being a head coach in ISL could turn out to be a huge loss for the tournament itself.