Manolo Marquez Appointed Head Coach of India’s Senior Men’s National Football Team

New Delhi, July 20, 2024: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced the appointment of Manolo Marquez as the new head coach of the Senior Men’s National Football Team. The decision was made during the AIFF Executive Committee meeting, chaired by President Shri Kalyan Chaubey, at the Football House in New Delhi on Saturday.

The meeting was attended by key officials, including AIFF Vice President Mr. N.A. Haris, Treasurer Mr. Kipa Ajay, and several Executive Committee members. Special invitees included prominent figures from various state football associations and the COO of FSDL.

In his statement, AIFF President Shri Kalyan Chaubey expressed his enthusiasm about Marquez’s appointment, saying, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Marquez to this important role and are thankful to FC Goa for their generosity in releasing him for national duty. We look forward to working with Mr. Marquez in the years ahead. The AIFF, FC Goa, and Mr. Marquez will collaborate closely to ensure minimal impact between the two jobs and strive for the best possible results.”

Manolo Marquez, 55, brings a wealth of experience to the national team, having coached in India since 2020. His coaching career in the Indian Super League (ISL) includes successful stints with Hyderabad FC and FC Goa. He led Hyderabad FC to an ISL Cup victory in the 2021-22 season. Marquez’s deep understanding of Indian football and his experience in nurturing young talent make him a valuable asset to the national team.

Expressing his gratitude, Marquez said, “It’s an honour to be the National Football Team coach of India, a country I consider my second home. India and its people are something I feel attached to and I feel a part of since I first came to this beautiful country. 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. I’m grateful to the AIFF for this opportunity and we hope to do great things for football.”

During the 2024-25 season, Marquez will continue his role as head coach of FC Goa’s first team, managing both responsibilities concurrently before taking on the national coaching role full-time.

In other developments, the AIFF Executive Committee has appointed Mr. Anilkumar Prabhakaran as the new Secretary General of the AIFF, following the resignation of his predecessor. Mr. Anilkumar’s appointment is subject to the internal protocols and induction procedures as required by the AIFF Constitution. He will assume his duties upon completion of these formalities.

The appointment of Manolo Marquez marks a significant step forward for Indian football, with high hopes for the continued growth and success of the national team under his guidance.