New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) in its meeting on June 29 is expected to start hunting for a new coach after approved the mutual termination of the contract of Manolo Markets. Manolo, who took over as a full -time coach only on June 1 after a dual role shared with FC Goa, has informed the Federation that he does not want to continue with the duties of the national team. According to sources, the contract can be abolished only when both sides agree. AIFF Chairman Kalyan Choubey told reporters in the capital on Friday, “We have an executive committee meeting on June 29, where we (on the future of Manolo) will call.”
“Manolo Markes is one of the longest foreign coaches serving in Indian football. For years, he has managed many clubs and has won the trophy including trophy and super cups. Compared to others, their understanding, strength, weakness of Indians, as well as opportunities and challenges within the Indian ecosystem.” Under Manolo, India has won only once – against blue Maldives at home – in eight matches, but more worryingly, failed to score in the last three matches. This includes a house draw against Bangladesh and defeat away from Thailand and Hong Kong. Golling has been a consistent problem and reflects in only seven goals that the team has scored in 15 matches since January 2024. India has also not won competitive games since November 2023.Quiz: Who is that IPL player?“It is unrealistic to expect a win without scoring the goals. The goals being scoring goals from 1.64 (in 2015) have come down continuously. While we appreciate the efforts of Sunil Chhatri in 40, as a nation we also need to ensure that there is a systematic supply in a systematic manner. “This is difficult for the WA player who has played a supporting role in the club for 11 months, to transfer the role of number 9 (in international matches). We did not have a positive striker in the last 10 years,” said Choubey. India’s highest goalkeeper only Chhatri, the opening lineup of coaches of the last four national teams has been a continuous feature: Bob Huteon, Stephen Constantine, Igor Stimax and Manolo Markes. AIFF is hoping that it can solve the striking crises and can remove the wretched runs of India with the involvement of OCI players. Choubey said that his office has approached 33 footballers from all over the world, some of whom already have foreign nationals Bharat Card, while others are being assisted by the Federation. “Like all sports associations (in India), AIFF is committed to align with land laws. Under the FIFA structures and rules, we are also actively searching for the possibility of getting approval to include OCI players in the national team,” said Choubey.
