Indian Football in Crisis: Manolo Marquez’s Future Uncertain as 2027 Asia Cup Hopes Fade

The future of Indian men’s football team head coach Manolo Marquez remains unclear, casting uncertainty over the team’s 2027 Asia Cup aspirations as fan frustration grows.

Indian men’s football team head coach Manolo Marquez (AIFF)

The Indian men’s football team is grappling with a deepening crisis, having secured only one victory in 16 matches since January 2024. A 1-0 defeat to Hong Kong in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier on June 10, 2025, has intensified scrutiny on head coach Manolo Marquez, with fans and analysts questioning his leadership and the team’s direction. With India’s prospects of qualifying for the 2027 Asia Cup hanging by a thread, speculation about Marquez’s future has reached a fever pitch, though his departure would require approval from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

A Dismal Run of Form

India’s recent performance has been nothing short of alarming. The team has endured a string of lackluster results, including three consecutive goalless draws against Bangladesh, Thailand, and Hong Kong, culminating in the latest loss. This poor run follows the departure of former coach Igor Stimac, who was replaced by Marquez in July 2024. Despite initial optimism, Marquez has struggled to turn the tide, with India now languishing at the bottom of their qualifying group.

The Hong Kong defeat, marked by a late goal that handed the opposition three points, exposed tactical and offensive shortcomings. India’s inability to score—evident in their recent matches—has frustrated fans, who have taken to social media to express their discontent. The team’s solitary win in the past 18 months, coupled with a series of draws and losses, has raised serious concerns about their competitiveness on the continental stage.

Marquez’s Tenure Under Scrutiny

Appointed to steer India toward the 2027 Asia Cup, Marquez brought a wealth of experience from his coaching

About Us: News Week India covers the latest News on Current News, Business, Sports, Tech, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Automobiles, and more, led by Editor-in-Chief Ankur Srivastava. Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Google News, and Whatsapp Channel.

Disclaimer: At News Week India, we are committed to providing accurate, reliable, and thoroughly verified information, sourced from trusted media outlets. For more details, please visit our About, Disclaimer, Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions. If you have any questions, feedback, or concerns, feel free to contact us through email.

Contact Us: syedhameedanwar.qitech@gmail.com

About The Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *