Manolo Marquez assumed control of the Indian Football Team last year. The head coach of the Indian Football Team, Manolo Marquez, is set to guide the team in their upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong in June 2027. However, questions linger about his long-term commitment to the national team.
After spending nearly a year balancing his responsibilities with both FC Goa and the Indian national team, in a rare club-and-country role, Manolo Marquez seems increasingly dissatisfied with the fragmented nature of international football.
Sources close to the matter suggest that Marquez has struggled to establish rhythm and continuity within the national camp. Frequent last-minute changes, limited player availability due to club commitments, and logistical issues have caused frustration for the Spaniard.
“Manolo Marquez has found it hard to fully immerse himself in the international role. Disruptions like last-minute schedule changes and the challenge of building continuity with players who return to club duties have been significant hurdles. There are also off-field issues contributing to the sense of disarray, making the international role feel more fragmented than rewarding,” a source shared with the Times of India.
A club official disclosed that a tense incident involving support staff during the Bangladesh game in Shillong, which ended in a 0-0 draw on March 25, became a turning point in Marquez’s dissatisfaction.
Despite having a valid contract with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) until May 31, 2026, with an option for a one-year extension, insiders speculate that the 56-year-old could step down after the June 10 qualifier.
However, the AIFF has not officially commented on the matter. Deputy Secretary-General Satyanarayan M confirmed that preparations for the Hong Kong match will proceed under Marquez’s leadership, with a training camp scheduled to start in Kolkata on May 18.
“I haven’t heard anything about this,” Satyanarayan M told Hindustan Times. “No discussions have taken place regarding this. Our focus is on the June 10 game against Hong Kong and the friendly against Thailand leading up to it.”
Manolo Marquez Set to Continue with FC Goa After Kalinga Super Cup Victory
FC Goa’s impressive 3-0 win over Jamshedpur FC in the Kalinga Super Cup has strengthened their hopes of securing a place in the AFC Champions League. Despite Manolo Marquez remaining tight-lipped about his future, his recent comments about FC Goa have hinted at a strong emotional connection. He praised the club as “the best in India in terms of organisation” and expressed his desire for continuity in the squad for upcoming AFC competitions.
FC Goa’s CEO, Ravi Puskur, confirmed that Manolo Marquez contract with the national team only begins on June 1, leaving the door open for him to continue with FC Goa. Puskur noted, “If he becomes available, only a fool in this country would turn down a chance to have him.”
With Marquez preferring the daily engagement and structure of club football, he may be on the brink of returning to his comfort zone. A departure would mark the second time in his career he leaves a high-profile position early, after resigning from La Liga’s Las Palmas in 2017 after just six games.
