July 20th 2024.
New Delhi: The Indian Super League team, FC Goa, currently under the leadership of Spaniard Manolo Marquez, has announced that he will also be taking on the role of head coach for the Indian men's football team. This decision was made by the All India Football Federation's executive committee during their meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. Marquez, who is 55 years old, will be taking over the position from Igor Stimac, who was recently sacked.
According to the AIFF's statement, Marquez will be juggling two responsibilities during the 2024-25 season. He will continue to coach the first team at FC Goa while also managing the national team. However, he will eventually transition into the role of full-time coach for the Indian team. The length of his tenure has not been disclosed by the AIFF.
Stimac's removal from the position of head coach came after India failed to qualify for the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, despite having an easier draw. Marquez, on the other hand, has been coaching in India since 2020 and has already managed two ISL clubs - Hyderabad FC and FC Goa. He led Hyderabad FC to victory in the ISL Cup in the 2021-22 season.
Marquez has had a successful coaching career in Spain before coming to India. He has managed several clubs, including La Liga side Las Palmas in 2017. He has also coached lower division Spanish clubs such as Las Palmas B, Espanyol B, Badalona, Prat, and Europa.
Expressing his excitement for this new opportunity, Marquez said, "It is an honor for me to be the national football team coach of India, a country that I consider my second home. I have always felt attached to India and its people since I first came here. I am determined to bring success to the millions of fans we have."
Marquez also expressed his gratitude to FC Goa for their support and flexibility in allowing him to take on the national team's responsibilities while still coaching the ISL side. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey also shared his enthusiasm for Marquez's appointment and thanked FC Goa for their cooperation.
Chaubey reassured that there would be minimal impact on Marquez's dual roles as head coach of the national team and FC Goa, as they will be working closely together. "We are delighted to welcome Mr. Marquez to this important role and are also thankful to FC Goa for their generosity in releasing him for national duty. We look forward to working with Mr. Marquez in the years ahead," Chaubey said.
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