We didn't choose the correct players: Manolo Marquez opens up after poor stint as India head coach

Manolo Marquez stepped down from his role earlier this month.

Manolo Marquez opened up about his 11-month-long tenure as the head coach of the senior Indian Men’s National Football Team. Under Marquez, the Blue Tigers just managed one measly victory in eight matches. The coach will be continuing as manager of Indian Super League (ISL) side FC Goa.

In an interview with TOI, Marquez said that there were a lot of reasons behind the team not performing well, reasons that were beyond his decisions as well. However, not choosing the right places at the right moments affected the team the most.

“Could the federation do better? Yes. The staff? Yes. The players? Yes. It’s not about pointing fingers. The reality is that we didn’t choose the correct players at the correct moment. We didn’t convert clear chances, but that’s part of football.

I am grateful to the federation because they gave me this opportunity. But things were not working, and I was certain that I didn’t want to continue after the fourth FIFA window (in March 2025) in Shillong.

I told myself, ‘this is not the place for me.’ I informed the federation (verbally), but the time was too short to find a replacement,” Manolo Marquez explained.

Also Read: Stefan Tarkovic in three-man AIFF shortlist for Indian Football Team head coach role

Juggling between roles for Goa and India

After his heroics with Hyderabad FC in lifting the 2021-22 Indian Super League title, Manolo Marquez joined FC Goa on a multi-year deal on 2nd June, 2023.

It was a little over a year later that he was also handed the reins of the Blue Tigers after Igor Stimac’s exit. He concurrently managed both teams for a year.

Although FC Goa initially struggled at the start of the season, they recovered well and finished second in the 2024/25 ISL League table. Marquez also went on to lift the Super Cup with them and qualify for a playoff spot in the AFC Champions League 2.

“I had two jobs (club and country), which is not very common. But there were a lot of cases in world football.

The reality is that things did not work with the national team and worked with Goa (finishing second in ISL and winning the Super Cup). I tried to do everything in the best interest of the national team.”

The former head coach took responsibility for the team’s performances, having knowingly taken on a dual role that brought with itself new challenges.

“I must say, in some moments, I was arrogant. When I accepted a dual role, I knew the international fixtures. I thought some friendlies (for preparations), then a game against Bangladesh at home, which we will win.

Then a long training camp before the Hong Kong game where we can prepare well. And once that was done (with good results), I would be a full-time India coach,” he added.

Opponents were in better condition, says Marquez

The Spaniard pointed out how the likes of Hong Kong and Bangladesh had naturalised players in their squad, making things more difficult for India. In the two AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers that Marquez oversaw, India played out a goalless draw against Bangladesh and succumbed to a 0-1 defeat to Hong Kong.

“Contrary to what everyone says, the performance against Hong Kong was not a disaster. It was an equal game. Hong Kong played with several naturalised players, who were playing in their league for five or six years. 

Imagine I have Mourtada Fall, Edu Bedia, Barth Ogbeche (for the national team). The score will clearly be in our favour.”

Naturalised players had a huge role to play in India’s poor display, according to Manolo Marquez.

“I also feel that we don’t have the same conditions as the opponents. For Bangladesh, suddenly they have (Premier League footballer) Hamza Choudhary, while Hong Kong played with six naturalised players.

They had guys from Cameroon, Chile, Brazil. I feel these Asian Cup qualifiers for India are win-win: If you qualify, the target is achieved. If you don’t, India will be forced to change the rules. You cannot keep going down.”

What’s next for Manolo Marquez and the Indian Football Team?

Manolo Marquez quickly turned FC Goa’s ship around and achieved a playoff in the prestigious ACL 2, where they will be representing India along with league winners Mohun Bagan. He has a fresh season of Indian and continental club football to look forward to.

For the Blue Tigers, the hunt for the next head coach is on as the technical committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is set to pick between three candidates—former India coach Stephen Constantine, the homegrown Khalid Jamil, and Slovakian manager Stefan Tarkovic. With tough fixtures against Singapore lined up in October, the team will require some serious readjustments to get over the tough patch.

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