On Sunday, newly appointed Indian football head coach Manolo Marquez emphasized that his primary goal is to secure qualification for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup. During his first media interaction since taking on the role on July 20, Marquez addressed the press in New Delhi, stating that his aim is to elevate the performance of Indian players, while acknowledging that such progress requires time.
Manolo Marquez target for indian team
The newly appointed Team head coach Marquez outlined his ambitious vision for the team’s future in his first media interaction since taking the reins on July 20. Speaking in New Delhi on Sunday, Marquez emphasized the need to significantly elevate the level of Indian players, both individually and collectively, in order to compete with the best in the region. He set his sights on qualifying for the prestigious AFC Asian Cup, a target he believes is within reach with the right mindset and approach.
In his interview Marquez cautioned that progress would take time and stressed the importance of a unified approach from all stakeholders, including players, staff, coaches, and the federation, to achieve success. He also downplayed the significance of rankings, suggesting that statistics don’t always paint a true picture of a team’s potential. With a focus on collective effort and a long-term strategy, Marquez expressed confidence that India can achieve impressive results on the international stage.
In the media interaction Manolo Marquez said that “The target now is obviously to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup if we speak about competitions. The target is also to improve the level of the Indian players in this case, to reach the next step individually and as a team. We need to improve. I don’t like to speak about the ranking because sometimes statistics don’t show the true picture. Everyone knows that progress takes time, but in this case, it depends on the attitude of everyone. Players, federation, staff, coaches. We all need to go in the same direction and then I am completely sure that we will get good results,”
Preparation for AFC Asian Cup
Marquez took over from Igor Stimac, a former Croatian footballer, who was dismissed as the head coach of the Indian men’s football team in June following their disappointing performance in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and following that disappointment people are willing to see what the new head coach brings to the table for the future of indian football team.
When asked about the preparations for the AFC Asian Cup the new head coach emphasized the importance of every squad member understanding their role within the team. He also explained the training schedule in the media interaction,
He explained that “We have six or seven games lined up before the first qualifier in March. We’ll see how things unfold during the first FIFA window before the ISL kicks off. Right now, we’re playing friendly matches, but our focus must be on preparing for the crucial games ahead. It’s essential that we secure a spot in Pot 1 before the December draw. Ultimately, it’s about preparation and identifying the right players to help the team grow. We need team-oriented players rather than those who prioritize individual play. It’s crucial to find not just the right starting 11, but a strong group of 20 to 25 players. Everyone must be aware of their role, and we need to play in the style we aim for,”.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram
