Manolo Marquez to quit India job? Concerns grow over coach’s future with national team

Manolo Marquez took over the Indian Football Team last year.

Indian Football Team head coach Manolo Marquez will lead the team in the upcoming 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong in June. However, uncertainty looms large over his long-term future with the national team.

After nearly a year of juggling responsibilities with both FC Goa and India in a rare club-and-country role, Marquez appears increasingly disillusioned with the fragmented nature of international football.

According to sources close to the situation, Marquez has found it difficult to establish rhythm and continuity in the national camp. Frequent last-minute changes, limited player availability due to club duties, and logistical hurdles have left the Spaniard frustrated.

“Manolo has found it challenging to fully settle into the international role. There are too many disruptions, from last-minute changes in plans to the difficulty of building continuity with players who return to club duty. There are issues off the field, too. All this has made the international job feel more fragmented than fulfilling,” a source revealed to Times of India.

A club official revealed that a tense incident involving support staff during the Bangladesh game in Shillong further worsened matters. That 0-0 draw on March 25 reportedly became the tipping point in Marquez’s dissatisfaction.

Despite holding a valid contract with the AIFF until May 31, 2026, with an optional one-year extension, insiders believe the 56-year-old could step down as early as after the June 10 qualifier.

The AIFF, however, has not officially acknowledged any such development, with deputy secretary-general Satyanarayan M confirming that preparations for the Hong Kong match will proceed under Marquez’s watch, with a training camp set to begin in Kolkata on May 18.

“I have not heard anything about this,” AIFF deputy secretary-general Satyanarayan M was quoted speaking to Hindustan Time. “We have not had any discussion on this. We are focusing on the June 10th game against Hong Kong and the friendly against Thailand in the lead-up to that match.”

Manolo Marquez likely to continue with FC Goa

While Marquez has remained tight-lipped, his recent comments after FC Goa’s Super Cup triumph have hinted at a strong emotional connection with the club. After the 3-0 victory over Jamshedpur FC in Bhubaneswar, he described FC Goa as “the best club in India in terms of organisation” and expressed his desire to maintain squad continuity for the upcoming AFC competitions.

FC Goa CEO Ravi Puskur confirmed to Hindustan Times that Marquez is only contractually bound to the national team from June 1, implying that he would be available for a return. “If he becomes available, only a fool in this country would turn down a chance to have him,” said Puskur.

With his preference leaning towards the daily engagement and structure of club football, Marquez may be set for a return to his comfort zone. If he walks away, it would mark the second time in his career he leaves a high-profile post early—he had similarly resigned from La Liga side Las Palmas in 2017 after just six games.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.