Embattled India soccer head coach Manolo Marquez stepped down on Wednesday after reaching a “mutual settlement” with the All India Soccer Federation (AIFF), which was below strain to repair accountability for the latest downward spiral of the nationwide crew.
The AIFF Govt Committee, in its assembly, agreed to alleviate the 56-year-old Marquez after he expressed his want to take action regardless of one yr nonetheless left in his contract.
“The AIFF and Manolo determined to mutually half methods with none monetary implications to any of the 2 events. So, he’s relieved from being India coach. The AIFF will shortly promote for the put up of head coach,” AIFF Deputy Secretary Normal Ok Satyanarayana advised PTI.
The Spaniard was appointed as head coach in June 2024 for a two-year tenure. He labored in a twin position final yr as he was additionally the top coach of Indian Tremendous League facet FC Goa in 2024-25 season.
India misplaced 0-1 to lower-ranked Hong Kong in an away match of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers on June 10, which left the nation at risk of lacking out on qualifying for the continental showpiece in 2027.
India logged only one win from their final eight matches below Marquez’s tutelage, the lone victory coming towards Maldives in March.
This yr, India have thus far performed 4 matches, out of which they’ve received one, drew one other, and misplaced two. The poor outcomes prompted the return of former skipper and iconic striker Sunil Chhetri to the squad however that has executed little to enhance the crew’s fortunes.
India’s subsequent scheduled worldwide match is an away fixture towards Singapore within the third spherical of Asian Cup qualifiers.
In keeping with sources, Marquez, who took over from Croatian Igor Stimac, had knowledgeable the AIFF his want to give up someday again — even earlier than the June 10 match towards Hong Kong — however couldn’t accomplish that unilaterally as he wanted an settlement with the AIFF.
Marquez has been one of many longest serving international coaches in Indian soccer, having managed a number of Indian golf equipment. He has secured trophies, together with the Tremendous Cup and the ISL Cup.
His tenure of 1 yr is the shortest amongst Indian head coaches within the final decade — Stephen Constantine was India head coach from 2015–2019 earlier than Igor Stimac (2019−2024).
