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India Today
04-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
AIFF opens application process for new men's head coach position after Marquez's exit
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has formally launched the search for a new head coach for the senior men's national football team, days after the abrupt departure of Spaniard Manolo Marquez. Interested candidates have until July 13 to submit their applications, with the federation outlining a detailed set of eligibility criteria and expectations from the next who had taken charge only last year, parted ways with the AIFF on mutually agreed terms after a disappointing string of results. The 56-year-old still had a year left on his contract. His departure comes at a time when Indian football is under increasing scrutiny, with fans and stakeholders calling for greater accountability and strategic to the job description published by the AIFF, the incoming coach will report to the Secretary General and work in tandem with the Technical Director, National Team Director, and other departments. The overarching goal for the appointee will be to "ensure that the National Team wins the maximum number of matches and competitions it participates in." A minimum of 10 to 15 years of coaching experience at elite youth and senior levels has been made mandatory. Preference will be given to those who have led senior national teams and participated in World Cup or continental championship qualifiers. An AFC/UEFA Pro License or equivalent is required, along with prior playing experience-even if not at the highest national the AIFF is also placing a strong emphasis on soft skills this time around. The next coach is expected to demonstrate "cultural sensitivity," effective communication with media and sponsors, and the ability to manage relationships with the federation's stakeholders-including President Kalyan Chaubey and the Technical Committee. This appears to be a lesson from the tumultuous tenures of both Stimac and Marquez, during which off-field tensions often made headlines."Duration and remuneration will be decided during the interview process," the AIFF said, adding that shortlisted candidates might be asked to make a presentation or attend an interview as part of the final selection Indian football at a crossroads, the next head coach will not only be tasked with tactical transformation on the pitch but also with fostering stability and trust off it.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Under-fire Manolo Marquez steps down as India coach after mutual agreement with AIFF
PANAJI: Manolo Marquez's tenure as coach of the national football team ended after just eight games as the Spanish coach and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) mutually decided to part ways. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The decision was endorsed during the AIFF executive committee meeting in the Capital on Wednesday. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. Under Manolo's watch, India won just one international friendly against Maldives, while losing both games - Thailand and Hong Kong - as full-time coach since last month. The coach had two years left on his contract. Poll Should the next national team coach be an Indian or a foreigner? Indian Foreigner It depends on experience 'We are parting ways without any financial implication to either of the two parties,' AIFF deputy secretary general Satyanarayan M told TOI. 'We will now advertise for a new national team coach, inviting applications from those interested in the job.' When AIFF followed a similar process last year following the sacking of Igor Stimac, it received 291 applications, which included 100 with UEFA Pro License diplomas, 20 with Asia's highest coaching degree and three with from South America. Facing a cash crunch, the AIFF eventually decided to rope in Manolo as coach of club-and-country. Some members, including those in the technical committee, are now in favour of an Indian as coach, with Khalid Jamil and Sanjoy Sen among the two names on top of that list. Sources, though, said no decision has been made if the next coach will be an Indian or foreigner. EXCLUSIVE | David Gower on Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah and India's England tour 'We will need someone with experience of Indian football,' said one member who attended the meeting. 'It's never easy for a foreign coach to understand the country, its culture and the mindset. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He will need at least six months (to settle down), and by that time the crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying campaign would have been decided.' India are at the bottom of the four-team group with just a point from the first two games. Only the group winners qualify for the continental showpiece in Saudi Arabia. Manolo, who did a dual job last season also coaching FC Goa, took charge of the national team in July last year. But while expectations were high, given his stint with FC Goa and Hyderabad FC, where he won the ISL trophy and developed several players, his record as national team coach left a lot to be desired. His eight games in charge include one win, four draws and three losses, two of them last month as India's full-time coach. This is the second time that Manolo has walked away from a top job. In 2017, as coach of Las Palmas in the La Liga, the Spaniard quit after just six matches though his contract was till the end of the season. 'It was a nice experience, a short one, but I realized that this was not the correct moment to be there,' Manolo had told TOI during a Townhall early this year. 'The dressing room was very dangerous. Now, since it's been some years, I can laugh about this but in those moments, I could not sleep.' Manolo has not yet spoken on why he was reluctant to continue with the national team. Meanwhile, the AIFF executive committee proposed to increase match time for Indian players, particularly strikers, by reducing the number of foreign players in both leagues.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
India starts hunt for new coach as Manolo quits after mutual agreement with AIFF
Manolo Marquez, who did a dual job last season, also coaching FC Goa, took charge of the national team in July last year Panaji: Manolo Marquez's tenure as coach of the national football team ended after just eight games as the Spanish coach and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) mutually decided to part ways. The decision was endorsed during the AIFF executive committee meeting in the Capital on Wednesday. Under Manolo's watch, India won just one international friendly against Maldives, while losing both games – Thailand and Hong Kong – as full-time coach since last month. The coach had two years left on his existing contract. 'We are parting ways without any financial implication to either of the two parties,' AIFF deputy secretary general Satyanarayan M told TOI. 'We will now advertise for a new national team coach, inviting applications from those interested in the job.' When AIFF followed a similar process last year following the sacking of Igor Stimac, it received 291 applications, which included 100 with UEFA Pro License diplomas, 20 with Asia's highest coaching degree and three with from South America. Facing a cash crunch, the AIFF eventually decided to rope in Manolo as coach of club-and-country. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Зачем на ночь сжигают лавровый лист? Undo by Taboola by Taboola Some members, including those in the technical committee, are now in favour of an Indian as coach with Khalid Jamil and Sanjoy Sen among the two names on top of that list. Sources though said no decision has been if the next coach will be an Indian or foreigner. 'We will need someone with experience of Indian football,' said one member who attended the meeting. 'It's never easy for a foreign coach to understand the country, its culture and the mindset. He will need at least six months (to settle down), and by that time the crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying campaign would have been decided.' India are at the bottom of the four-team group with just a point from the first two games. Only the group winners qualify for the continental showpiece in Saudi Arabia. Manolo, who did a dual job last season, also coaching FC Goa , took charge of the national team in July last year. But while expectations were high, given his stint with FC Goa and Hyderabad FC, where he won the ISL trophy and developed several players, his record as national team coach left a lot to be desired. His eight games in-charge includes one win, four draws and three losses, two of them last month as India's full-time coach. This is the second time that Manolo has walked away from a top job. In 2017, as coach of Las Palmas in the La Liga, the Spaniard quit after just six matches though his contract was till the end of the season. 'It was a nice experience, a short one, but I realized that this was not the correct moment to be there,' Manolo had told TOI during a Townhall early this year. 'The dressing room was very dangerous. Now, since it's been some years, I can laugh about this but in those moments, I could not sleep.' Manolo has not yet spoken why he was reluctant to continue with the national team. Meanwhile, the executive committee proposed to increase match time for Indian players, particularly strikers, by reducing the number of foreign players in both leagues. 'In addition, a feasibility study will be conducted to explore the possibility of fielding an under-23 national team probables in the I-League, as part of long-term preparations for the Asian Games,' the AIFF said in a statement.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lottery.com Appoints Marc Bircham to Executive Director
Marc Bircham FORT WORTH, Texas, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inc. (Nasdaq: LTRY, LTRYW) (' or the 'Company'), a leading technology company in digital lottery, sports and entertainment, announces the appointment of Marc Bircham to its Board of Directors as an Executive Director. Currently serving as Director of since March 2024, Bircham has played an instrumental role in advancing the Company's expansion into global sports media and football club acquisitions. A UEFA Pro License holder, he has held senior coaching and managerial roles in England, Ireland, Italy, the USA, Canada and the Caribbean. Bircham is widely regarded as a Queens Park Rangers (QPR) legend and one of the most iconic figures in the club's history. With over 300 professional appearances and 21 international caps for Canada, Bircham transitioned from an illustrious playing career into a dynamic and globally respected football executive and coach. 'Marc has made a tremendous impact at bringing deep industry knowledge, international experience, and a passion for innovation,' 'His appointment to the Board reflects our confidence in his strategic leadership as we continue our international expansion across the sports, gaming, and entertainment sectors. Marc has demonstrated this year that he is a true leader—both on and off the pitch.' Throughout his coaching career, Bircham has led top-tier programs including QPR, Como 1907 in Italy's Serie B, Waterford FC in Ireland, and the Bahamas National Team. He was instrumental in signing global stars such as Cesc Fàbregas and Eberechi Eze and has been consistently recognized for transforming clubs operating under financial constraints and for nurturing youth talent—including England international Raheem Sterling. 'It's an honor to be appointed to the Board of Directors. I believe in the Company's vision and the power of uniting lottery, sports and entertainment into a global digital ecosystem. I'm excited to help shape the future of the Company and contribute to its continued growth.' Known for his media presence and charismatic leadership, Bircham's appointment marks a strategic milestone as continues to build a world-class executive team aligned with its global vision and focus on delivering shareholder value. About The Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRY, LTRYW) family of brands — including and is a unified ecosystem that integrates gaming, entertainment, and sports. Important Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this press release, regarding the Company's strategy, future operations, prospects, plans and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. When used in this Form 8-K, the words 'could,' 'should,' 'will,' 'may,' 'believe,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'project,' 'initiatives,' 'continue,' the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release or as of the date they are made. The Company cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company. In addition, the Company cautions you that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, any future findings from ongoing review of the Company's internal accounting controls, additional examination of the preliminary conclusions of such review, the Company's ability to secure additional capital resources, the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, the Company's ability to respond in a timely and satisfactory matter to the inquiries by Nasdaq, the Company's ability to regain compliance with the Bid Price Requirement, the Company's ability to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rules, the Company's ability to become current with its SEC reports, and those additional risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading 'Risk Factors' in the Form 10-K/A filed by the Company with the SEC on April 22, 2025, and the other documents filed, or to be filed, by the Company with the SEC. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact the operations and projections discussed herein can be found in the reports that the Company has filed and will file from time to time with the SEC. These SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC's website at Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described in this press release materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release. This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual. CONTACT: For more information, please visit or contact our media relations team at press@
Reuters
19-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Botafogo deal with coach Matos collapses in license debacle
Feb 19 (Reuters) - Portuguese club Santa Clara have extended the contract of their manager Vasco Matos until 2027, they said on Wednesday, after a deal for him to join Brazilian champions Botafogo fell through due to a coaching license debacle. Matos, who led Santa Clara to Portugal's second division title last year and to fifth in the top-flight standings, reached an agreement with Botafogo on Monday. He was set to replace his compatriot Artur Jorge who joined Qatar's Al-Rayyan in December after guiding the Brazilian club to the league and Copa Libertadores double. However, sources close to both clubs told Reuters that Botafogo's owner, American businessman John Textor, found out on Tuesday that Matos did not have the UEFA Pro License required for coaching at the highest level in South America, so would not be allowed to manage the team in their Copa Libertadores title defence. Botafogo tried to rework the deal with Matos while attempting to find out if South American soccer's ruling body Conmebol would accept a provisional registration until he upgraded his licence. The licensing of coaches has been a controversial issue in Portugal recently, with aspiring coaches and professional managers calling for fairer access to the necessary certification. Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim was handed multiple fines for not having the required licences while coaching his former clubs Casa Pia, Braga and Sporting. Botafogo will continue their search for a new manager with interim coach Claudio Cacapa in charge for Thursday's Recopa final first leg at Copa Sudamericana champions Racing in Buenos Aires.
