From Red Devils’ bench to Kerala: Vital Borkelmans starts anew

After several months without a club, 63‑year‑old Vital Borkelmans has accepted a new coaching role in India, taking charge of FC Forca Kochi, a two‑year‑old Kerala‑based side owned by actor Prithviraj Sukumaran and his wife Supriya Menon, in the Indian football landscape.

From 2012 to 2016 Borkelmans served on the technical staff of the Rode Duivels under head coach Marc Wilmots, acting as assistant for the Belgian national team. During that period he helped shape the squad that represented Belgium on the international stage.

Before his national‑team duties he enjoyed a long playing career as a left‑back for Club Brugge, amassing 457 appearances for the Belgian club before moving into management.

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After leaving the Belgian setup he became the head coach of the Jordanian national side, then returned to Belgium to work with the youth at FC Knokke. Despite his hopes for a senior role, the first‑team coaching vacancy passed him by and disappointment lingered.

In March 2025 Borkelmans ventured further abroad, joining Iraqi top‑flight club Al‑Zawraa as an advisor. The stint lasted seven months, ending in October, after which the 63‑year‑old trainer found himself without a club once again.

Now the former Belgian international has secured a fresh overseas chapter with FC Forca Kochi. The club, founded only two years ago, competes in the Kerala state competition and is owned by actor‑director Prithviraj Sukumaran and his wife Supriya Menon, offering Borkelmans a new platform to apply his experience.

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