This Barcelona-Born Coach Becomes Indian Football Team Head Coach, Know All About Him

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The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is appointed Manolo Marquez, currently the head coach of FC Goa, as the new head coach of the Indian football team.

Barcelona-boarn Marquez succeeded Igor Stimac, who was relieved of his duties following a series of disappointing performances, including the failure to advance to the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Manolo Marquez, who has a proven track record in Indian football, emerged as the preferred choice among three candidates. The other contenders were fellow Spaniard Antonio López Habas and the Indian coach Sanjoy Sen.

While Habas's age and fitness concerns worked against him, Sen's absence from the full-time coaching circuit in recent years despite his pro licence qualifications made Marquez the ideal candidate.

The 55-year-old Spaniard has been given a three-year contract with the option to continue as FC Goa's head coach for the 2024-25 season before fully committing to the national team. This arrangement will help the AIFF manage its financial constraints, as Marquez's salary, reportedly upwards of $25,000 per month, will be covered by FC Goa during this period. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey will oversee the salary negotiations with Marquez.

Marquez's familiarity with the Indian football landscape, having led Hyderabad FC to the Indian Super League (ISL) Shield title in the 2021-22 season and taking FC Goa to the third spot in the league standings and to the ISL Cup finals, made him the prime candidate. The AIFF's decision reflects a strategic move to appoint a coach who understands the nuances of Indian football.

Stimac, who refused a three-month salary compensation offer, has threatened to take the AIFF to FIFA's tribunal, demanding full compensation as per his contract until June 2026. This potential legal battle adds to the AIFF's current financial challenges, which also include a legal dispute with former general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran.