Kerala Blasters head coach Steve Coppell has questioned the rationale behind the ISL, saying he "fails to understand" the real purpose of the tournament, now in its third season. Speaking before his team's match against Atletico de Kolkata, he called for a longer-duration league with greater emphasis on developing talent and more Indian players in the teams.
Pitching for a longer league, Coppell said, "Usually it takes 10-12 games to get going. By that time here, the league games are over."
Emphasising that the on-ground facilities for young players are not up to scratch yet in India, Coppell said, "Is the purpose to develop players or to build legacy? Somewhere, ISL has to have the responsibility to develop young players, so that India as a footballing nation can grow and be proud of their game.
Coppell also stated that the league must consider reducing the number of foreigners playing in the league, an opinion that has been stated earlier in the season by other foreign coaches as well. The ISL rules at present stipulate teams to start a match with five Indians in the starting eleven.
While FC Goa head Zico was quoted saying "it would be much better to have more Indians and fewer foreigners in the squads" after Goa fielded nine Indian players in a 2-1 win over Nelo Vingada's NorthEast United, Vingada himself had echoed Coppell's opinions on a longer league as well as the reduction in the number of foreign players in the ISL.
"It is important for the league to be longer and it also important to reduce the number of international players in every team. Then there will be a balance and an opportunity for more Indian players to blossom," Vingada was quoted by Goal.com ahead of the season.