After weeks of anticipation, AIFF (All India Football Federation) has zeroed in on Igor Stimac’s successor. Spanish manager Manolo Marquez has been named the new head coach of the Indian men’s national football team. The appointment comes as a bit of a surprise as Marquez is currently the head coach of Indian Super League club FC Goa.
Marquez: New India football head coach!
This dual role is uncommon in international football, with most coaches focusing on a single team at a time. This unusual arrangement might be a cost-saving measure by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to manage Marquez’s salary. Regardless, Marquez has almost 10 months left on his contract at FC Goa, after which he will solely focus on the Indian team.
Marquez reportedly won the competition for the national team job after being considered alongside his compatriot Antonio Lopes Habas and former Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen. He is expected to sign a three-year contract.
A strong pedigree
Marquez reportedly won the competition for the national team job after being considered alongside his compatriot Antonio Lopes Habas and former Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen. He is expected to sign a three-year contract.
The 52-year-old joined FC Goa in June 2023. Previously, he enjoyed a successful three-year stint at Hyderabad FC, guiding them to their first-ever Indian Super League title in 2022. He also led Hyderabad to two runner-up finishes in the ISL Shield competition.
The AIFF had been searching for a new coach since Igor Stimac’s dismissal following India’s disappointing exit from the second round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The appointment of Marquez marks a new chapter for Indian football, with the hope that his experience and success at the club level can translate to the national team.
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