New Delhi, July 20 (UNI) Spaniard Manolo Marquez was on Saturday appointed the new head coach of India's men's senior national football team, the AIFF announced.
The 55-year-old Marquez succeeds Igor Stimac, who was sacked last month by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) - the apex supervisory body of the game in the country.
Marquez's appointment was finalised in an AIFF Executive Committee meeting, chaired by its President Kalyan Chaubey here during the day. It will come into effect immediately.
Marquez, who is now the head coach of Indian Super League (ISL) team FC Goa, would continue his role in the club for the 2024-25 season, besides concurrently taking over the responsibility of the men's senior national team.
Once the season is over, Marquez will assume the national coaching role on a full-time basis.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey said: "We are thankful to FC Goa for their generosity in releasing him for national duty. The AIFF, FC Goa, and Mr. Marquez will collaborate closely to ensure there is minimal impact between the two jobs and strive to achieve the best possible results for all involved.”
Marquez, who called India his second home, said he was honoured at having been made the coach of the national football team ."I want to do my best to bring success to the millions of fans we have."
"I am very grateful to FC Goa for allowing us the flexibility to help the national team during the coming season while I am still the club’s head coach," he said.
Marquez has been coaching in India since 2020. He has coached two ISL clubs – his first stint was with Hyderabad FC (2020-23), before he switched over to FC Goa (2023-present). He is an ISL Cup winner with Hyderabad FC in 2021-22.
Overall, Marquez had an extensive coaching career in Spain – Las Palmas (top division) and Las Palmas B, Espanyol B, Badalona, Prat, Europa (third division).
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