Former Indian football player and coach TK Chathunni passed away at a private hospital in Kerala on Wednesday at the age of 79, after battling cancer. Known for his stellar career as a defender for Kerala and Goa in the prestigious Santosh Trophy, Chathunni was also regarded as one of the finest coaches in Indian football.
After retiring as a player, Chathunni dedicated over 40 years to coaching, leaving a lasting impact on the sport. He coached several renowned teams, including Mohun Bagan, Dempo Goa, and FC Cochin.
Autobiography Titled ‘Football My Soul’
In 1979, he took on the role of a coach for Kerala’s Santosh Trophy team. Chathunni also penned an autobiography titled ‘Football My Soul,’ detailing football’s profound influence on his life and career. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan expressed their condolences. The Chief Minister remembered Chathunnis’s four-decade-long involvement in football as both a player and coach.
Mourning Chathunni’s death, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan remarked, “Chathunni will be at the forefront when the history of Indian football is told.” He praised Chathunni’s unparalleled success as a coach and highlighted his significant role in elevating players like IM Vijayan and CV Pappachan to excellence. Satheesan noted, “Chathunni’s demise is a great loss to the sports world.”
