The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and head coach Manolo Marquez have mutually agreed to end their association, marking a premature end to the Spaniard’s tenure.
The decision was ratified at the AIFF Executive Committee meeting held on Wednesday.
Marquez, who had previously guided Hyderabad FC to an Indian Super League (ISL) title and lifted the Super Cup with FC Goa, was appointed national coach in 2024 following the exit of Igor Stimac. However, he failed to replicate his club-level success with the Indian national team.
During his stint, India played eight matches—including friendlies and competitive fixtures—securing only one win, a 3-0 triumph over the Maldives. His final match was a dispiriting 0-1 defeat against Hong Kong during the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers—a result that marked India’s first competitive loss to the East Asian side in 32 years.
The AIFF confirmed that Marquez did not resign, but the decision for his departure was mutually agreed upon. “After discussions with the AIFF, it was mutually agreed that he will not continue as India (men) coach,” said acting general secretary M. Satyanarayanan.
India’s FIFA ranking has dropped drastically from 99 in July 2023 to 127 as of now, triggering concerns over the national team’s direction and tactical stagnation.
With the post now vacant, AIFF is set to release an official advertisement inviting applications. Among the frontrunners is Jamshedpur FC’s Khalid Jamil—the only Indian head coach in the ISL—who has guided two teams to ISL Cup semifinals and narrowly missed silverware in last season’s Super Cup.
Jamil remains under contract with Jamshedpur FC until 2026, but sources suggest that if a formal offer arises, the club management will evaluate the situation accordingly.
The spotlight now turns to AIFF’s next steps as Indian football prepares for crucial upcoming international fixtures.
