Manolo Marquez stepped down as India football head coach on Wednesday (July 2, 2025) after reaching a "mutual agreement" with the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF), with the federation under pressure to fix accountability for the recent poor performance of the national team. In a meeting in New Delhi, the AIFF executive committee agreed to relieve the 56-year-old Marquez after he reportedly expressed his desire to do so even though one year was still left in his contract.
Manolo Marquez Quits As India Football Head Coach After 'Mutual Agreement' With AIFF
India have won just one of their last eight games under Manolo Marquez, and a 0-1 defeat to the lower-ranked Hong Kong has left the national team in danger of missing out on qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup in 2027
"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," a PTI report quoted AIFF deputy secretary general K Satyanarayana as saying.
Marquez was named India head coach in June 2024 for a two-year tenure. The Spaniard worked in a dual role last year as he was also the manager of Indian Super League club FC Goa in the 2024-25 season.
India went down 0-1 to the lower-ranked Hong Kong in an away match of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers on June 10, which left the nation in danger of missing out on qualifying for the continental showpiece in 2027. The national side registered just one victory in their last eight matches under Marquez's mentorship, the sole win coming against Maldives in March.
In 2025, India have played four matches so far, out of which they have won one, drawn another, and lost two. The poor results prompted the return of former captain and legendary forward Sunil Chhetri to the squad, but that has done little to alter the team's fortunes.
(With PTI inputs)
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