After stepping down as the head coach of the Indian men’s football team earlier this month, Spanish coach Manolo Marquez has made his comeback to FC Goa. He will lead the team in the upcoming 2025–26 season, marking his third stint with the club.
FC Goa officially confirmed his return, announcing that he has signed on as head coach once again. The club welcomed him warmly with a message: “No one forgets the Don and the Don never forgets home. Welcome back, Boss.”
Marquez expressed his excitement:
“I really enjoyed my last two seasons here. The team improved a lot, and the club’s professional structure is rare in Indian football. That’s why FC Goa is regarded by me as such a special club.”
Ask ChatGPT I always knew if I stayed in India, it would be with this club.”
Uncertainty Around Indian Super League (ISL)
India’s top football league, the ISL, is currently on hold due to ongoing discussions between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL). Their Master Rights Agreement is set to expire on December 8, and talks about renewal are still unresolved.
Marquez’s Short Stint as India Coach
Marquez had taken charge of the Indian national team in June 2024 with a two-year contract, but he stepped down on July 2 by mutual agreement with the AIFF. His departure followed poor performances by the national team, including a 0-1 loss to Hong Kong in the Asian Cup qualifiers.
Under his leadership, India won only one out of their last eight matches, that win coming against the Maldives in March.
Back With FC Goa to Chase Bigger Goals
Marquez originally joined FC Goa in 2023 and led the team through 62 matches in all competitions. Now in his third year, he aims to help the club succeed both in India and Asia.
His first test will be faced on August 13, when Al-Seeb Club from Oman will be hosted by FC Goa at Fatorda Stadium for the AFC Champions League 2 qualifiers.
He shared his thoughts:
“Some stories are not meant to end yet. This is unfinished business. I’m back to complete what we started.”
He also added:
“It’s not a typical pre-season. Usually, teams get 6–8 weeks to prepare, but we have the AFC match early. “A tough challenge is expected against Al-Seeb, but every effort will be put in to perform at our best.”
New Faces in the Coaching Team
Two new Spanish coaches have joined Marquez this season:
- Marc Gamon as the goalkeeping coach
- David Ramos has been appointed as the strength and conditioning coach.”
Gamon had worked with Marquez earlier, including during their time with Hyderabad FC and India’s national team. Ramos, who is new to Indian football, brings experience from clubs in Spain and China.
Other staff like Benito Montalvo and Gouramangi Singh Moirangthem will continue in their current coaching roles.
