The turmoil in the All India Football Federation may have not abated, however they have found the time to announce the replacement of coach Igor Stimac. Manolo Marquez has been announced as the new head coach of the men’s team.
After Igor Stimac was sacked, the search for a new coach involved screening many applications, mostly coaches from the Indian Super League. Among the notable names were former Mohun Bagan Super Giant coach Antonio Lopez Habas and current FC Goa coach Manolo Marquez. The All-India Football Federation (AIFF) stipulated that the final candidate must have prior ISL experience. Finally, Manolo Marquez was selected and agreed to a three-year contract.
His current contract with FC Goa extends until May 31, 2025, meaning he will initially juggle responsibilities between the club and the national team for one year before working fully with the national side.
Marquez’s experience in the ISL is rich. From 2020 to 2023, he managed Hyderabad FC, leading the team to victory in the ISL Cup during the 2021/22 season. Under his leadership, many young talent like Akash Mishra and Nikhil Poojary emerged, earning call-ups to the national camp. After his successful stint with Hyderabad, Marquez moved to FC Goa. Although the team was knocked out in the semi-finals of both the Durand Cup and the ISL, Marquez was praised for the team’s development and improvement. His record with Hyderabad included 37 wins, 21 draws, and 16 losses in 74 games, while at FC Goa, he secured 19 wins, 6 draws, and 7 losses in 32 games.
Antonio Lopez Habas was another strong contender for the national team coaching position. With extensive experience in the ISL, having coached ATK, FC Pune City, and Mohun Bagan SG, as well as a national team stint with Bolivia, Habas brought a wealth of experience to the table. However, at the age of 67, Habas faced physical challenges.
That may have forced the AIFF not to opt for him. Marquez is 55 years old. He is also familiar with many current Indian national team players, seen as an advantage.
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