Manolo Marquez, the new coach of the Indian men’s football team, has taken on a challenging role. With the departure of former coach Igor Stimac and the retirement of top scorer Sunil Chhetri, Marquez faces high expectations. He is also the coach of FC Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL) and will manage both roles for the first year.
Marquez, who has never coached a national team before, discussed his approach at a press conference in New Delhi. He acknowledged the conflict of interest but emphasized professionalism. He mentioned that managing both a club and a national team is rare but not unheard of.
Marquez, who has been involved in Indian football since 2020, expressed his enthusiasm for the role. He sees it as a significant opportunity and a dream come true. He is realistic about the challenges, noting that India did not advance past the early stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Marquez highlighted that improving players' mental strength is crucial. He believes that while technique, tactics, and physical condition are important, mental resilience is key to overcoming challenges during matches. He emphasized the need for players to stay positive and fight back even when trailing.
Marquez is focused on improving the level of Indian players and believes that gaining experience abroad could accelerate their development. He noted that while players are comfortable in ISL, playing in foreign leagues against tougher opponents would help them grow faster.
Overall, Marquez aims to enhance both individual and team performance, understanding that progress will take time but depends on a unified effort and a strong mindset.
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