'Resigned As India Head Coach In April But...': Manolo Marquez's Big Revelation
"I resigned in April, but they asked me to do the June window, They tried to convince me for a month to continue at the head of the Indian national team.
"I didn't want to leave because of the bad results. In fact, they tried to convince me for a month to continue. It seems that they have now accepted my initial decision," Marquez told Spanish news outlet Marca.
Marquez mutually parted ways with the AIFF after India's poor start to the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers as the Men in Blue played out a draw against Bangladesh in the opening game before an injury time goal in the 0-1 loss vs Hong Kong further added to their woes.
Marquez also stated that poor results did affect his tenure, but they were not the reason he stepped away.
"Coaching the Indian national team was the illusion of my life, but when you see that all teams do not play with the same rules, you feel that this is not your place. I admit that I have done things wrong, but if the results had improved, I would probably still be in office," he added.
Marquez first landed in India ahead of the 2020-21 Indian Super League season to take charge of Hyderabad FC, where he won the Indian Super League title in 2022. In his three years with The Nizams, Marquez took charge of 74 games out of which he won 37 and drew 21. He went on to take the helm at FC Goa and led them to a Super Cup triumph.
His time as FC Goa's head coach saw him become a dual manager, occupying head coach roles with both the national team and the ISL side as well. In 62 matches under Marquez, FC Goa has won 38 games with 12 losses and draws each.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Fulton's men look to bounce back
Bengaluru: India struggled during the European leg of the FIH Pro League last month, losing seven of their eight matches against top teams such as Argentina, Australia, Belgium, and the Netherlands. For the Indian team, this was a tough reality check, especially as they had aimed to secure a World Cup berth. They narrowly missed the wooden spoon, finishing above bottom-placed Ireland. This experience served as a wake-up call for the team. However, there is hope on the horizon. The Men in Blue are now focusing on the Asia Cup, which begins late next month in Rajgir, Bihar. The competition offers India a chance to qualify for the World Cup scheduled to take place in the Netherlands and Belgium in Aug next year. Preparations are already underway, with a training camp set to begin on Monday. Additionally, a squad of 24 players will be taken to Australia for a two-week camp that will include friendly matches. From them, 20 players (including two standbys) will be selected for the continental competition. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru "The Asia Cup is a priority for the year. We want to remain the No. 1 in Asia, and we know many strong teams will be vying for victory to secure direct qualification. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Wolfsburg: Nur 700 Plätze. Werden Sie Testhörer für die neuen Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung. Gutes Hören Undo We must respect all our opponents, but we are focused on improving from our performance in the Pro League and returning to winning form," said India's head coach Craig Fulton during a virtual interaction on Tuesday. India, currently ranked No. 8 in the world, is the highest-ranked team in Asia and will enter the tournament as favourites. However, challengers like Pakistan (WR 15), Malaysia (12), and South Korea (13) could give the home team a tough competition. The Indian team must utilise the next seven weeks to address their weaknesses and bring their best performance to Rajgir. One major concern has been the performance of the backline, as they conceded 26 goals in eight matches last month. They allowed some soft goals that frustrated Fulton, who emphasises a solid defensive strategy. Also, teams frequently scored late, contributing to India's losses. India also felt the absence of their captain, Harmanpreet Singh , who missed several matches due to a finger injury. "He got hit with the ball on his finger, which opened it up. Losing your captain during critical moments is always challenging, and someone else needs to step up to fill that void. It was a tough period for us, but we are fully focused on the Asia Cup now and have learned some hard lessons," Fulton remarked.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Trust in Riddle: Fritz credits girlfriend after Wimbledon win sets up semifinal vs. Alcaraz
LONDON (AP) — Morgan knows best, apparently. Taylor Fritz thought the motivational note he wrote to himself after losing at Wimbledon four years ago would stay private. His girlfriend, influencer Morgan Riddle, later shared it on social media. "That note was never supposed to be public,' a smiling Fritz said after his 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (4) win over Karen Khachanov set up a semifinal meeting with two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. Fritz had written to himself in the note that 'nobody in the whole world is underachieving harder than you' and urged himself to get his act together. Not only does Fritz forgive Riddle, he also credits her for having such a big impact on him rising to No. 5 in the world rankings in pursuit of his first Grand Slam title. 'There's been a pretty constant results-and-ranking rise since we've been together,' Fritz said. "I think I would have to say she's been a big help to me just kind of keeping me focused, having someone who cares and just pushes you to just do better and do the right things, be healthier. "Almost like kind of just mother me in a way," he added, chuckling to himself, 'with like, the diet and going to sleep on time.' A smiling Fritz later added: 'Yeah, that maybe wasn't the best choice of words.' The 27-year-old American, who was the runner-up at last year's U.S. Open, didn't face a break point in the first two sets against No. 17 Khachanov, who rebounded in the third set. It was 4-all in the fourth-set tiebreaker before Fritz claimed the final three points on Court No. 1. It's the first time Fritz has reached the last four at Wimbledon. He's won two grass-court titles this season — Stuttgart and Eastbourne — and was happy he wouldn't be facing Alcaraz on clay, which would be 'an absolute nightmare.' 'Grass is very much so an equalizer. It can be an equalizer. So trust in how I'm playing,' he said. 'I truly know the way that I played the first two sets today, there's not much any opponent on the other side can do.' The second-seeded Alcaraz is within sight of a Wimbledon three-peat. He extended his winning streak to 23 matches this season by beating Cameron Norrie 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 on Centre Court. Alcaraz, who has beaten Novak Djokovic in the past two finals at the All England Club, faced only five break points and saved all of them. He wants to hit some other greens, though, before he faces Fritz 'For sure I'm going to play some golf, just to switch up my mind a little bit,' Alcaraz said The 22-year-old Spaniard has been playing golf with Andy Murray during his Wimbledon run. This time, his opponent could be actor Tom Holland, whom he had run into earlier. 'I would love to play against him in the golf course. For me it would be such an honor. I will try to set it up in these two days that I will have much time to do it. So let's see if he will be available, and we'll tee it up.'
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Wimbledon 2025: Imperious Alcaraz routs Norrie to reach semifinals
LONDON: Carlos Alcaraz swept into the Wimbledon semi-finals for a third successive year as the defending champion demolished Britain's Cameron Norrie in a Centre Court masterclass on Tuesday. Alcaraz needed just 99 minutes to thrash Norrie 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 in his most commanding performance in this year's tournament. The Spanish second seed dropped four sets in a series of scrappy displays during his run to the last eight. But Alcaraz was back to his imperious best in the quarter-finals, blasting 39 winners to set up a last four clash with American fifth seed Taylor Fritz. "To be able to play another semi-final here at Wimbledon is super-special," Alcaraz said. It's going to be great. I'm really happy with the way I played against a really difficult player," he added. With world number one Jannik Sinner struggling with an elbow injury after trailing by two sets in the fourth round before his opponent Grigor Dimitrov was forced to retire, Alcaraz looks like the title favourite heading into the closing stages of the tournament. Alcaraz is on a career-best 23 match winning run since losing to Holger Rune in the Barcelona final in April -- a superb streak which has brought him titles at the French Open, the Rome Masters and Monte Carlo. The Spaniard, who vanquished Novak Djokovic in the last two Wimbledon finals, has won 34 of his 37 Tour-level matches on grass, while his last defeat at the All England Club came against Sinner in the fourth round in 2022. "Taylor is playing great. The grass season has been really successful for him so far with two titles and a semi-final here," Alcaraz said. "I have to be ready for that battle. I will try to play the same level as today. I will rest up a little bit and enjoy the time with my team and my family. For sure I'm going to play some golf to switch off my mind a little bit," he added. Alcaraz is only the second Spanish man to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals on at least three occasions after Rafael Nadal, who made eight appearances in the last four. The five-time Grand Slam champion is aiming to become the fifth man to win Wimbledon in three consecutive years in the Open era afer Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Djokovic. Alcaraz, who will be making his eighth Grand Slam semi-final appearance, is also bidding to become the second-youngest player in the Open era, after Borg, to win six major men's singles titles. Alcaraz wasted little time asserting his dominance with breaks in the third and fifth games of a one-sided opening set. The 22-year-old was equally commanding in the second set as the world number 61 struggled to stem the tide. Alcaraz was in total control and the third set followed the same pattern, with the decisive break coming in the sixth game as he sealed his victory in ruthless fashion.
