Manolo Marquez in his first press convention because the Indian nationwide head coach of the senior soccer workforce made it clear that FIFA World Cups and AFC Asian Cups have been a distant dream, and elevating the requirements of Indian gamers was how he would wish to fee how profitable his stewardship can be on the finish of his three-year tenure.
Marquez, who will coach each the Indian workforce and FC Goa in his first season, after which transition full-time to the nationwide setup, was introduced in attributable to his success in creating Indian gamers on the Indian Tremendous League stage. The All-India Soccer Federation’s hiring was not based mostly on worldwide expertise, however relatively Marquez’s information of Indian footballers and develop them. His hiring was additionally a no brainer contemplating the poor monetary scenario of the present AIFF – the explanation coaches with worldwide pedigree weren’t chosen after over 200 candidates made it clear it was a job nonetheless price pursuing.
He takes over after a very turbulent exit by former coach Igor Stimac. Stimac’s exit came about after the Croatian was unable to take India into the third spherical of the World Cup qualifiers, a outcome that the AIFF says pressured it to sack the 56- year-old. Stimac had mentioned that the sacking was not authorized and he can be approaching the FIFA tribunal over his full contract not being paid out by the federation in India. Stimac’s time with Indian soccer was stuffed along with his complaints over the standard of the Indian Tremendous League, and the way vital positions have been being stuffed by international gamers and the way he wasn’t given sufficient camps earlier than huge tournaments.
It’s about greater than profitable; it’s about development. I don’t like excuses I like outcomes 🗣️ @2014_manel #IndianFootball ⚽️ #meetmanolo pic.twitter.com/CkwctFWMF7
— Indian Soccer Crew (@IndianFootball) August 11, 2024
Marquez’s first check can be the Intercontinental Cup, a world match being held in India. Whether or not ISL golf equipment launch gamers for the match and permit the Spaniard to take inventory of what assets he has at his disposal, is unsure. The beginning of the ISL season, in addition to the Durand Cup imply that his first FIFA window is already going to see restricted participation. However the Spaniard assured that there ‘might be 11 gamers on the pitch’ on the press convention on Sunday.
“We can have six, seven video games earlier than the primary qualifier in March. Let’s see what occurs within the first FIFA window earlier than the ISL begins. On this scenario, we’re enjoying pleasant matches and want to arrange for extra vital matches forward. And we will’t neglect we have to be in Pot 1 earlier than December’s draw,” mentioned Marquez about utilising the FIFA home windows earlier than the Asian Cup qualifiers start.
He then added that it was not concerning the high quality or potential of a participant, however relatively how that high quality suits into the general dynamic of the workforce. “It’s about preparation and to seek out the proper individuals to develop as a workforce. We want gamers who play for the workforce, and never individually. It’s a must to discover the proper gamers, not simply 11 however the entire group of 20 to 25. Everybody must know their position within the workforce and we have to play within the type that we wish,” mentioned Marquez.
🎙️ @2014_manel emphasizes that expertise is in all places, however solely the most effective shine beneath stress.#IndianFootball⚽️ #meetmanolo pic.twitter.com/CiANpN0Krs
— Indian Soccer Crew (@IndianFootball) August 11, 2024
Sunil Chhetri’s retirement additionally opens up the seek for a striker – a tricky ask contemplating the highest league in India hardly ever sees golf equipment permitting Indian gamers to play in essential positions on the pitch. Whereas Chhetri himself in the previous few years wasn’t capable of produce the output of targets internationally in essential competitions, the way in which issues are in India’s high league, the nationwide workforce is likely to be one of many few locations the place strikers may get some sport time of their pure positions.
The Spaniard mentioned {that a} widening of the expertise pool might repair the problem, including that gamers wanted to go overseas, even to decrease divisions, with a purpose to get higher. However the problem with that has endlessly been that almost all gamers earn more cash in India, than they might in decrease divisions in European soccer and thus want to remain inside the leagues within the nation.
However the one space the place Marquez mentioned that the gamers coming in must turn into stronger is of their mentality. On the Asian Cup, and most worldwide video games, Indian gamers have typically been topic to naïve decision-making – be it incomes a foul, or conserving management of the ball within the midfield, and even not recognising the momentum shifts in a sport and performing accordingly. There’s additionally the problem of India not with the ability to beat groups like Bangladesh and Afghanistan in worldwide qualification levels – an space that has stopped them from progressing in Asia, as they might have believed themselves to be able to.
“Now we have to be stronger mentally. In soccer, method is essential. Ways are crucial. Bodily situation is essential, but when the top doesn’t work, you are able to do nothing in life, not simply soccer. For instance, when you begin a sport dropping 0-2 within the minute 20, you continue to have 70 minutes to show the rating and it’s doable. That is the mentality. Within the nationwide workforce, theoretically, we’ll play the most effective gamers within the nation. Then if the mentality is right, we’ll get good issues with good outcomes,” mentioned Marquez.