In his first media interaction since taking over as the head coach of India’s senior men’s national football team, Spanish coach Manolo Márquez made it clear that his appointment is not just a career milestone, but a realization of a dream. Speaking to the press on Sunday, August 11, 2024, in New Delhi, Márquez expressed his profound gratitude to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for entrusting him with the leadership of the Blue Tigers.
“First of all, I’m very grateful and I want to say a big thank you to the AIFF for the confidence it has in me. This is my fifth season in India, and if you had told me five years ago that I would spend so much time here, I might have thought it was crazy. India is my country after Spain. It is the foreign country where I’ve spent the most time,” Márquez shared, visibly moved.
Márquez’s journey in Indian football began in the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) season when he took charge of Hyderabad FC. Over the years, he has forged deep bonds with Indian players, an advantage that positions him well as he embarks on his national team journey. “I have felt the connection in India from day one, since my first training session with Hyderabad FC. My connection with the Indian players is very strong. As a foreigner, you have to adapt to new things, even in football. You need to know how the Indian players are. It’s not the same to train in Spain, Thailand, and India,” said Márquez, underscoring his adaptability and understanding of the unique Indian football ecosystem.
The 55-year-old Spaniard has a challenging task ahead, managing both the national team and FC Goa in the 2024-25 season. However, Márquez is unfazed by the dual responsibilities. “It’s true that this situation is not normal, but it is manageable. The matches are not at the same time, and when the national team plays, there’s a break in the ISL. Both jobs are about professionalism, and you won’t have any doubt about it because we will work very hard for the national team.”
Following India’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Márquez’s immediate focus will be on the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. The team’s journey begins with a series of friendly matches in the upcoming FIFA International Match Windows in September, October, and November. “The target now is obviously to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup. We need to improve the level of the Indian players to reach the next step individually and as a team. Progress takes time, but it depends on the attitude of everyone involved. Players, federation, staff, coaches—we all need to go in the same direction,” Márquez remarked, outlining his vision for the team.
Márquez also emphasized the importance of selecting players based on merit, regardless of the league they play in. He pointed to Edmund Lalrindika, an I-League player who featured in India’s June matches, as an example. “If they have the level, obviously, we will call them. But it would be better if these players play against stronger opposition. That’s how they get better.”
Above all, Márquez stressed the paramount importance of mental strength in football. “In football, technique is very important. Tactics are very important. Physical condition is very important. But if the head doesn’t work, you can do nothing in life, not just football. If the mentality is correct, we will achieve good results.”
As Márquez takes the reins of the Blue Tigers, his words offer a glimpse into the transformative approach he brings to Indian football—one that not only values skill and strategy but also the power of a resilient mindset. The road ahead may be tough, but with Márquez at the helm, Indian football is poised for a journey that promises growth and progress.