India and Goa coach Manolo Marquez says Indian players are doing well in the ISL but need to play abroad to grow.
He was forced to live in a quarantine zone for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was here that he got to know the Indian players, spending a lot of time with them, understanding their psychology, families, culture and traditions.
Now, after four seasons in Indian football, the experienced Spaniard has become the national team coach and it’s this thorough knowledge that gives him a head-start. “This is my fifth season in India, if five years ago you told me I’d be in India for five years, maybe I’d say that’s crazy,”
Manolo said during his address in the capital on Sunday. “After Spain, India is where I’ve stayed the longest. From day one, I felt it was going well.” India gave him the job he was craving the most. After 20-plus years of coaching, he’s coached almost every type of team — grassroots, youth, third tier, second tier, women’s and even La Liga — and finally he has a national team.
“I’m happy, it’s a dream for me to be coach of the India national team.” Manolo is doing double duty, continuing to coach his Goa club while also fulfilling his national team responsibilities. “It’s about professionalism,” he assured everyone when asked by reporters “There will be no questions.” His first assignment is the three-nation tournament next month in Hyderabad, where he will field a team after a few days of training. The team is still in pre-season. But the bigger challenge will be getting Indian players to perform at their best, especially considering they haven’t made enough progress in the last five years.
“After five years, the level of Indian players has improved, but they could have improved more. My feeling is that maybe some Indian players are comfortable playing in the ISL. I tell my players: you are comfortable in India, you will grow by playing abroad. I know most of them are living well here, they are comfortable. If Indian players play abroad, they will meet strong opponents and their growth will be faster,” Manolo said.
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