Ex-Kerala Blasters coach accuses Sandesh Jhingan of partying till 4am on matchday

Rene Meulensteen, who was the first coach to lose his job this season of Indian Super League (ISL), said that Kerala Blasters captain Sandesh Jhingan drank alcohol and partied till 4 AM ahead of their match against FC Goa on December 9, according to a reporty.

Former Kerala Blasters manager Rene Meulensteen criticised Indian football team defender Sandesh Jhingan for behaving unprofessionally during his stint with the Indian Super League (ISL) side. Meulensteen, who was the first coach to lose his job this season, said that Jhingan drank alcohol and partied till 4 AM ahead of their match against FC Goa on December 9.

Sandesh Jhingan (centre, in yellow) is also an Indian football team player. (ISL / SPORTZPICS)

“One of the most important factors (for the sacking) and I think everybody needs to know this - after the game against FC Goa, where we lost 5-2, I found out that the captain Sandesh Jhingan had been up partying and drinking until 4 AM in the morning,” Meulensteen told Goal.com on Saturday.

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“They did not want to win that game (against Bengaluru). That was probably part of getting rid of me. If you look at the goals we conceded, you look at the penalty. There is no reason for Sandesh Jhingan to put his hand out. For the third goal, he just let (Miku) past him like there is nobody there,” he added.

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“And the day I got released, I asked him about the performance and he was still smelling of alcohol. And that is the captain who is representing the fans and the club. He thinks he is a big professional in India but in my opinion, he let himself and everybody down! Disgraceful,” Meulensteen fumed.

Kerala Blasters, who signed former marquee player David James as Meulensteen’s replacement, are currently sixth with 14 points and will face FC Goa in Kochi on Sunday.