Manolo Marquez has been appointed as the head coach of the senior men’s National side for the next three years by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). This decision comes after Igor Stimac’s contract was terminated due to the team’s unsuccessful qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Marquez, a seasoned Spanish coach, was chosen from a pool of 20 candidates for his expertise in the Indian football ecosystem.
The New Head Coach
Marquez is well-known in the Indian Super League (ISL) for his successful tenure with Hyderabad FC, leading them to victory in 2022 and contributing significantly to the development of Indian players, many of whom now represent the National squad. Despite financial constraints, the AIFF has entrusted Marquez with coaching responsibilities at FC Goa alongside his national team duties until the end of the 2025 season. This collaboration aims to minimize any disruption and maximize results for all parties involved.
Key Appointments
In addition to Marquez’s appointment, the AIFF executive committee has named Anilkumar Prabhakaran, the secretary of the Kerala Football Association, as the new secretary general of the AIFF. This move will see M. Satyanarayan continue in his role as the assistant secretary. The committee has also decided to postpone the relegation process in the ISL for another season, deviating from the initial plan to introduce relegation by the 2024-25 season, as outlined in the roadmap presented to the Asian Football Confederation.
For more information on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the latest updates on Indian football, visit AIFF’s official website.
Stay tuned for further developments in the Indian football landscape as Marquez takes on the challenging role of leading the national team while continuing his coaching duties at FC Goa.