Quick Facts
Biography
Thekkathara Gopalakrishnan Purushothaman (born 6 June 1979), popularly known as T. G. Purushothaman, is a former Indian professional football player, who currently works as the assistant manager of the Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters.
Playing career
Born on 6 June 1979, Purushothaman spent his youth career by playing for Kerala Varma College and University of Calicut. In 2000, he signed his first senior contract with SBT. After an impressive performance with the side, he was included in the Kerala football team's squad for the 2001–02 Santosh Trophy tournament. His first achievement as a player also came in that tournament as the Kerala team won the championship. He later signed for the National Football League Vasco Goa in 2003 ahead of their new season. In 2004, Purushothaman moved to Mahindra United F.C. ahead of the 2005–06 National Football League. The season gave positive results to Mahindra, as they rose to win the league title, and the 2005 Federation Cup, thus helping Purushothaman to win two major silverware in his career. In the same year, he won the Santosh Trophy for the second time in his career with Kerala. On 11 June 2007, it was announced that Purushothaman was signed by Viva Kerala for the 2007–08 I-League campaign. He spent his last years of playing career with the Kerala club, before retiring in 2008 to pursue his career in coaching.
Coaching career
After retiring from professional football, he joined then Ernakulam Second Division and later I-League 2nd Division club Josco FCin 2010, as their assistant coach under T.K. Chathunni. He was their assistant manager for the 2011 and 2013 I-League 2nd Division seasons respectively. He spent four years with the club before joining FC Kerala in 2014. At FC Kerala, which was founded in 2014, he also served as one of their directors. Under his assistance, the club made their second division debut in the 2017–18 season. Purushothaman also served as the assistant coach of the Kerala football team for the 2019–20 Santosh Trophy tournament. On 6 February 2021, Kerala Blasters announced that they have roped in Purushothaman as the new head coach of their reserves team.
While being the manager of the Blasters' reserve team, he was again chosen by KFA as the assistant manager of the Kerala football team for the 2021–22 Santosh Trophy, who eventually won the tournament. On 10 July 2023, Kerala Blasters announced the appointment of Purushothaman as the new Assistant Coach for their first team on a 3-year contract, until 2026.
Honours
As a player
- Santosh Trophy: 2001–02, 2004–05
- National Football League: 2005
- Federation Cup: 2005
As a manager
- Santosh Trophy: 2021–22 (assistant)