The rise of Bengaluru FC: Key success factors

Abstract

"To wake up a sleeping giant you need more than one alarm clock. We have put different alarm clocks here. And I have to say the giant is not any longer sleeping, it's already starting to wake up." These were the words of FIFA President Sepp Blatter during his visit to India in 2012. We believe that one of the symptoms of India finally waking up from its football slumber, is the recent success of Bengaluru FC in India’s first division football league – Airtel I-League. Bengaluru FC, owned by the JSW Group, made heads turn within its first year of inception by winning the I-League, breaking the dominance by the clubs from Goa & Kolkata. Apart from its success on the field, the owners have been trying to build a brand around the club and have found partial success as the people of Bengaluru have embraced the club as their own and have turned up to support the club which is in its nascent stages of growth. The appointment of Englishman Ashley Westwood as the chief coach is also considered to be a masterstroke. Through this study we analyse the key success factors which contributed or will continue to contribute to the success of the team.