Breaking: Manolo Marquez appointed new India head coach

The AIFF has appointed FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez as the new head coach of the Indian national team. The 55-year-old will pull double duty, as he will remain with FC Goa while also being in charge of the Blue Tigers from the next international break.

The federation dismissed Igor Stimac after the Croatian failed to get India to qualify for Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. They opened up an application process afterward, which saw almost 300 candidates from all over the globe apply.

Manolo Marquez named new Indian head coach

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐳! 🇮🇳⚽️

Manolo Marquez is excited to take the helm of the Indian team, promising dedication and success. 🏆
Grateful to AIFF for this honor! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/JyT1AYoLEg

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 20, 2024

It’s an honour for me 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,” Marquez told the club’s official website.

Manolo Marquez has spent four years in India, managing Hyderabad FC from 2020-23 while winning the ISL title with them. He then moved to FC Goa last summer, and has continued to manage at a top level, with Goa finishing third last season.

The reaction to the 55-year-old’s appointment is positive, given his history of developing players and creating teams that win.