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Indian Football

AIFF and Manolo Marquez mutually part ways after dismal run with Indian Football Team

Saikat has been the Khel Now Correspondent of Jamshedpur FC, alongside Indian football he writes world football & Hockey articles.
Published at :July 2, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Modified at :July 2, 2025 at 6:07 PM
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Super Cup Champions FC Goa are all set to sign new contract with Manolo Marquez.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Manolo Marquez have officially parted ways, ending a turbulent chapter in Indian football. The decision was taken during the AIFF Executive Committee meeting held in New Delhi on July 2, 2025, following Marquez’s request to step down, despite a year remaining on his contract.

Appointed in June 2024, the Spanish tactician had taken charge of the Indian football team with high expectations, replacing his close friend and former head coach Igor Stimac. However, what began as a promising transition quickly spiralled into one of the most underwhelming managerial stints in Indian football history.

Poor Run of Results and AFC Asian Cup Setback

Under Manolo Marquez, India played eight matches, registering just a solitary win — a friendly against Maldives. The team endured four draws and suffered three defeats, including a recent 0-1 loss to Hong Kong on June 10 in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. Notably, India failed to defeat lower-ranked teams such as Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Mauritius, and Malaysia — sparking serious concern among fans and experts alike.

The 55-year-old had earlier expressed his frustration after a goalless draw against Bangladesh, a side ranked 56 places below India in the FIFA rankings. As a result, the Blue Tigers plummeted in the FIFA rankings and are ranked 133 in the recent one. Since November 2023, India has not won a single competitive fixture making Marquez’s 12.5% win rate the worst of his coaching career.

Dual Role Criticism and Selection Allegations

Manolo Marquez’s initial tenure was also marred by questions about his dual role. For nearly a year, he simultaneously managed FC Goa and the national team, often prioritising both without any recovery period. Alongside assistant coach Benito Montalvo and fitness expert Jose Carlos Barroso, Marquez jumped straight from ISL duties into international camps, leaving little time for strategic planning.

His squad selections also drew criticism, with many alleging a bias toward FC Goa players at the expense of more deserving talents across the country. The lack of cohesion and consistency eventually led to widespread disappointment among fans and stakeholders.

Manolo Marquez to extend with FC Goa

Despite his failed national team spell, Manolo Marquez still enjoys strong backing at FC Goa and is set to sign a contract extension with them. The Gaurs, who narrowly missed out on the ISL Finals last season after falling to Bengaluru FC in the semis, witnessed a far more successful campaign under him at the club level. He guided them to a Super Cup title by thrashing Jamshedpur FC and helped them qualify for the ACL 2 Qualifiers, where they are set to face Al Seeb from Oman.

At Goa, Marquez maintained an impressive 60% win record and was lauded for his ability to nurture young talent — a reputation built on his title-winning stint with Hyderabad FC in the ISL. His club achievements have prompted FC Goa to reportedly explore the possibility of re-signing him, especially with continental competition on the horizon.

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Saikat Sengupta
Saikat Sengupta

In addition to writing articles on World and Indian Football, Saikat has also covered tournaments like the Durand Cup, Indian Super League, and Hockey India League. Notably, his exceptional communication skills have seen him interview legendary icons like Olympic 2024 gold medalist Yibbi Jansen, former Real Madrid player Javi Hernandez, and many more such sporting stalwarts.

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