Manolo Marquez quits as India soccer head coach after mutual settlement with AIFF

The AIFF Executive Committee, in its assembly, agreed to alleviate the 56-year-old Marquez after he expressed his need to take action regardless of one yr nonetheless left in his contract.

“The AIFF and Manolo decided to mutually part ways without any financial implications to any of the two parties. So, he is relieved from being India coach. The AIFF will shortly advertise for the post of head coach,” AIFF Deputy Secretary General Okay 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 Super League aspect 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 in peril of lacking out on qualifying for the continental showpiece in 2027.

India logged only one win from their final eight matches underneath Marquez’s tutelage, the lone victory coming in opposition to Maldives in March.

This yr, India have thus far performed 4 matches, out of which they’ve gained 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 carried out little to enhance the group’s fortunes.

India’s subsequent scheduled worldwide match is an away fixture in opposition to Singapore within the third spherical of Asian Cup qualifiers.

According to sources, Marquez, who took over from Croatian Igor Stimac, had knowledgeable the AIFF his need to give up someday again — even earlier than the June 10 match in opposition to Hong Kong — however couldn’t accomplish that unilaterally as he wanted an settlement with the AIFF.

Marquez has been one of many longest serving overseas coaches in Indian soccer, having managed a number of Indian golf equipment. He has secured trophies, together with the Super 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).

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