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Time of India
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Unrealistic to expect wins without scoring goals, says AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey
Manolo Marquez (left) took over as full-time coach only on June 1 after a dual role shared with FC Goa, has informed the AIFF that he does not want to continue The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is expected to start the hunt for a new coach once its Technical Committee and Executive Committee approves mutual termination of Manolo Marquez's contract at its meeting on June 29. Manolo, who took over as 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 national team duties. According to sources, the contract can be terminated only if both parties agree. 'We have an Executive Committee meeting on June 29, where we will take a call (on Manolo's future),' AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey told reporters in the Capital on Friday. 'Manolo Marquez is one of the longest serving foreign coaches in Indian football. Over the years, he has managed multiple clubs and won trophies, including ISL trophy and Super Cup. Compared to others, his understanding of Indian football, including strengths, weakness of Indians, as well as opportunities and challenges within the Indian ecosystem is better. ' Under Manolo, India have won just once – against lowly Maldives at home – in eight matches but even more worryingly, failed to score in the last three matches. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDsกับโบรกเกอร์ที่เชื่อถือได้| เปิดบัญชีวันนี้ IC Markets สมัคร Undo This includes a home draw against Bangladesh and away defeats to Thailand and Hong Kong. Goal-scoring has been a consistent problem and reflects in the mere seven goals that the team has scored in 15 matches since January 2024. India have also not won a competitive game since November 2023. 'It is unrealistic to expect wins without scoring goals. There has been a steady decline in goals being scored from 1.64 (in 2015) to 0.75 currently. While we appreciate Sunil Chhetri's efforts at 40, as a nation, we also need to ensure there's supply of more forwards in a systematic manner. It's difficult for a player who has played the supporting role in the club for 11 months, to shift to the number nine role (for international matches). We don't have positive strikers in the last 10 years,' said Chaubey. Only Chhetri, India's highest goalscorer, has been a constant feature in the starting lineups of the last four national team coaches: Bob Houghton, Stephen Constantine, Igor Stimac and Manolo Marquez. The AIFF is hoping it can solve the striking woes and overcome India's wretched run of form, with the inclusion of OCI players. Chaubey said his office has contacted 33 footballers from across the world, some of whom already have the Overseas Citizen of India card, while others are being assisted by the federation. 'Several countries ranked below India in FIFA ranking have adopted the policy of allowing naturalised players,' said Chaubey. 'This strategic move has contributed to their positive performances and better global standing. AIFF has proactively initiated communication with relevant departments regarding inclusion of OCI players. The initial response has been encouraging but we are fully aware that such changes do not happen overnight. 'Like all sports federations (in India), AIFF is committed to aligning with the laws of the land. Under FIFA's framework and regulations, we are also actively exploring the possibility of securing approval for the inclusion of OCI players.' Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
AIFF chief Kalyan Chaubey breaks silence on Manolo Marquez's future as India head coach, reveals date for final decision
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) chief Kalyan Chaubey stated that the board will make the final decision on India head coach Manolo Marquez's future with the team on June 29. Manolo Marquez, who assumed coaching duties last year after Igor Stimac's departure, has fallen short of making an impact, with results deteriorating further under his guidance. The AIFF took a gamble on Marquez by appointing him as a dual-role coach while continuing at FC Goa in the ISL. Things have yet to improve for the Blue Tigers, forcing them to recall Sunil Chhetri from retirement in search of a turnaround, but even that move hasn't delivered the desired results. The recent 0-1 defeat to Hong Kong in the Asian Cup qualifiers has put Marquez and the AIFF under the scanner as India's performance received flak from all over the country. AIFF chief Chaubey addressed Marquez's future in a press conference on Friday. He stated that the decision on the head coach will be made in an executive committee meeting on June 29. 'Manolo Marquez is a highly rated coach and has a good understanding of Indian football and the players. However, in the past few days, I have received several calls on whether the coach will continue or not. We have an executive committee meeting on June 29, where we will take a call on that. However,it is unrealistic to expect wins without scoring first,' said Chaubey in the press conference. Marquez has been unable to halt the team's alarming downturn, with India's record reading just a solitary win in its last eight games under his leadership. Speculation is growing that the Spanish coach is reluctant to continue in the role, fueling uncertainty about his future with the national side. The team had undergone nearly a three-week training camp in Kolkata in preparation for Tuesday's crucial showdown, but fell well short of expectations, suffering a disheartening defeat to a side ranked significantly lower — Hong Kong, placed 153rd in FIFA's standings, defeated India, which stands at 127th — delivering a major blow to their confidence. This latest reverse is expected to further undermine India's position in the world rankings, with projections suggesting a drop to 133 when the updated list is released.
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
HT Kick Off: A tale of two coaches
Manolo Marquez and Luciano Spalletti knew they were not staying beyond this week's engagements. Spalletti had wanted to after the 0-3 defeat to Norway but was not allowed by the Italian federation which, bizarrely, after sacking him, let him continue against Moldova and finish on a winning note. Marquez could not though it cannot yet be said he is a former India coach because the formalities of the separation have not been completed. Unlike Spalletti, he had had enough. It is not known when, if at all, given that there is talk of a non-disclosure agreement, India will get to know why. 'It is not the moment to speak about this,' Marquez said after the defeat in Hong Kong when asked if would continue. The Spaniard not denying he would leave – HT had reported the possibility on May 6 – is crucial but that is only half the story. The away win against France, and a quarter-final in the Nations League notwithstanding, Spalletti's time with Italy (11 wins in 23 matches) was underwhelming. It was worse for Marquez. He had one win from eight matches. It was the inability to win against Mauritius, Bangladesh and Hong Kong, all ranked significantly lower than India, that rankled. Successful with Hyderabad FC and FC Goa and having forged a reputation for improving Indian players, Marquez's first stint as a national team head coach will be a blot on his career. Spalletti has explained why he could not succeed. 'It's the coach who has to make the difference and unfortunately I wasn't able to do that," he said two seasons after inspiring Napoli to the Serie A, the club's first since Diego Maradona pulled their shirt. Known to say it like it is, it would be nice to know what Marquez thinks about why it did not work. Was it inexperience? Injuries? Did AIFF back him? Sandesh Jhingan has apologised but the end-of-season gloom has been felt with Bhaichung Bhutia again asking for AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey's resignation 'because he has destroyed Indian football'. The pundit Joe Morrison and Parth Jindal hit out on X and Ravi Puskur, the CEO of FC Goa, said the system was "rotten in ways we refuse to admit" while claiming that rising players' salaries have stopped them from growing. Puskur's comment on the deleterious effect of money shows how little has changed. When Vijay Mallya invested in Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, and this was last century, the infrastructure didn't improve and there was nothing significant by way of youth development but liquor money immediately sparked a big uptick in players' salaries. Kolkata's Big Two justified it just like how ISL clubs now are. The bubble bursting in China and the growing problem of inequality among clubs in Europe – Brescia, a 114-year-old club which spent 23 seasons in Serie A and where Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Altobelli, Andrea Pirlo, Luca Toni and Pep Guardiola have played, have gone bankrupt – show that the problem is not unique to India. So what, the way of Saudi Arabia and Qatar? What happens if their governments decide to pull the plug? Spalletti had to supervise a transition, not so much Marquez barring the going and coming of Sunil Chhetri and a change in goalkeepers. After the 2021 Euro triumph. Italy had no Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Jorginho and Federico Chiesa's playing time had reduced, Sandro Tonali was banned and players had moved to Canada and Qatar. 'We certainly are not leaving my successor a sense of enthusiasm…,' said Spalletti. Add a short season, a small players' pool and crucial roles in ISL teams being taken up by foreign players (strikers, central defenders, creative midfielders) to everything mentioned above, you can say that about India too. It makes the position somewhat of a poisoned chalice. Since 2000 most full time foreign coaches have not worked after their India job. Yet, the lure of leading a national team often proves too hard to resist. There will never be a dearth of coaches, a former All India Football Federation secretary had told me. 'I get CVs all the time.' Four years in India and after having seen the sport from inside, Marquez thought he could make a difference. His replacement will too but unless India change the fundamentals (longer season across the country for seniors and age-specific leagues, youth development that goes beyond ticking boxes and getting more boys and girls to play), progress like, say, Uzbekistan is impossible. They won the Asian Games gold in 1994 and are now in the World Cup. India hired their Asian Games winningcoach Rustam Akramov in 1995 but it was no surprise that he could achieve little. No manager can. At best, they can get a few good results which will take India back to the late 90s in FIFA rankings and then the slide will follow. Sport is full of surprises but this is a pattern that has been repeated often enough.
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First Post
12-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Indian football team: Crisis runs deeper than missing OCI players, retired legends; major changes needed
India's football team lost again and this time to lower-ranked Hong Kong in a crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifier match. Many fans are blaming the ban on foreign-based Indian-origin players, but is that really the issue here? The real problem lies in poor planning, a weak youth system, and bad decisions by those running Indian football. read more Advertisement Indian football team sings the national anthem before a match. Image: AFP Another day, another defeat for the men's Indian national football team. This time, to a lower-ranked Hong Kong side. There has, unsurprisingly, been an outpouring of emotion and frustration since. Fans have vented their displeasure. Bhaichung Bhutia, one of India's most famous footballers, has had a shot at the current regime too. But the overriding theme, somehow, has been that India's lack of success and development is because they have not allowed Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)/ Person of Indian Origin (PIO) players to be a part of the national team. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD That could not be farther from the truth. These footballers could improve the team. But to argue that that is the only thing holding India back is to miss the whole point. Which, again, would not be unlike Indian football. One manager, two jobs Let's go back in time. When Manolo Marquez was appointed as the head coach. Appointed, reportedly, after bypassing the committee formed to decide on such matters, and while also being the manager of FC Goa. And no, this is not sarcasm, this is exactly how it was. Two concurrently running teams, and one 56-year-old manager. There was still optimism due to Marquez's experience in the ISL and working with Indian players. But if you cast a glance at him post the defeat to Hong Kong, all that was visible was a man broken and bereft of ideas. India have only won once under him and have failed to score in five matches (out of eight). Instead of working with what they had to resolve their goal-scoring problems, India went back to Sunil Chhetri. There is still no clarity on who hauled the legendary forward out of retirement. But by every possible marker, it felt like the wrong decision. And that assessment has not changed. Previous national team managers have often complained about Indian strikers not starting for ISL clubs. But maybe none of the strikers coming through are good enough, and that has to come down to the existing youth structure and its shortcomings – both in terms of how much they are playing, how much they are learning, and what they are learning. OCI/PIO players only a PR gimmick? There is also an issue of Indian footballers' inclination not to step out of their comfort zone. The financial aspect is, undeniably, a consideration and that is completely understandable. But it does lead to a paucity of good-quality players, given even the second or third division league in a European country might be of a better standard than what is found in India. And now, that has led to the advocacy of OCI/PIO players. Even though none of those who might be eligible instantly and might want to play for India are…strikers. That is not a guarantee of success either. Afghanistan and Pakistan have such provisions, but do not uproot trees on the continental stage. Compare that to a country like Uzbekistan, placed just two spots above India in 2018 in the FIFA rankings, but now dreaming of causing upsets at the World Cup next year. All because they invested in their youth structure and age-group teams, allowing that talent to percolate into the senior side. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The propaganda of bringing in OCI/PIO players thus seems a PR gimmick. Just to tap into some of the frustration, give it a cool new name, make it a fashionable fad, and give the average Indian football fan something to cling on to, ignoring how feasible and irrational it seems. While taking the focus away from what actually plagues the system. The seeds of this particular campaign were sown, most notably, by Kalyan Chaubey, the AIFF President, who also happens to be the face of the 'Vision 2047' football project, and offered, rather ludicrously, prize money if India were to win against Hong Kong. No qualification incentive, no cry for bragging rights or a fight for pride. But a financial objective. By an organization that is not exactly rolling around in cash and reportedly still holds debts to players. All of these attempts sound and look good, especially when social media influencers parade with it, swell their views, and link it to that proverbial awakening of the sleeping giant. But it does not benefit the national team, or the youth structure, nor does it make the nation a footballing force. A memo that the AIFF and its president have clearly missed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Deeper problems exist India, of course, seem light years away from calling themselves a force or using football and force in the same sentence. And they will drift further apart if they continue with this utopian idea in a country whose footballing structure is muddled (administratively, technically, you name it) at almost every possible juncture. A lot of this current approach, in not wanting to invest where investment is needed - especially when a cash-crunch exists - and instead hoping that an OCI/PIO player will rescue India from the doldrums, that someone reincarnated as Crisitano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi or Thierry Henry will spawn out of nowhere, is wishful thinking, at best. Just like papering over a crack. And very similar to Indian street food, where cheese is added to anything and everything to make it more presentable, and to ensure no one picks faults with what lies under it. This may sound crude, damning and scathing. And that is because it is. A sorry state of affairs, where the attention no longer is on whether the right questions are being asked and if the correct answers are being sought; rather, on whether any questions are being asked at all, and if there is any attempt being made to even come close to a solution, let alone arriving at it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Is the time already up? A new manager, a 40-year-old legend coming out of retirement, countless social media reels, and innumerable interviews without tangible action have not solved the current malaise. And it never will. Expecting a different result while repeating that same process of finding the latest PR tool to hang your hat on, along with just waiting for something to happen, is, to put things mildly, unwise. Time, tide, and football wait for none. It swats aside those who dawdle, and obliterates those looking for outward fixes and hoping for outlandish fantasy. And even though time running out might seem apt in the Indian footballing context, the AIFF has probably gone past that stage long, long ago.
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
‘Clubs, mine included, have inflated player salaries irresponsibly': FC Goa CEO makes shocking Indian football claim
With India's AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification hanging by a thread, pressure has mounted on AIFF and national team head coach Manolo Marquez. India suffered a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Hong Kong on Tuesday and are now bottom of their qualification group. Since India's defeat, AIFF has been slammed by former players, with Bhaichung Bhutia especially lashing out at president Kalyan Chaubey, and urging him to resign. FC Goa CEO Ravi Puskur also joined the bandwagon and weighed in on the current situation of Indian football. Taking to X, he wrote, 'A Humble Submission: I've always stopped short of airing my frustrations publicly because it's the convenient and safer thing to do. But silence makes me part of the problem. So today, I'm choosing to voice it. Not from a place of anger but of accountability. 'The system is rotten in ways we refuse to admit. Everything moves on influence, favours, and fragile egos. 'We don't have the maturity to manage the ecosystem we claim to be building. We turn on each other faster than we face uncomfortable truths.' 'We lost the match versus Hong Kong yesterday and there's outrage—players, coach, federation, clubs are all facing the ire. But the truth is: blame isn't isolated. 'It belongs to all of us. And yes, that includes me.' Revealing how player salaries are inflated, he said, 'Clubs—mine included—have inflated player salaries irresponsibly. We are outbidding each other for perception, knowing fully well it's unsustainable. Then we act shocked when these players fall flat on the international stage. WE built that illusion.' 'It's not that they don't have potential—it's that they've had little reason to stretch it. We've handed comfort to players, and with it, taken away their edge. 'Agents are part of the problem. They are draining the ambition out of players to ensure their pockets are well lined. It's not just about big contracts anymore—it's about players losing hunger. There's too much focus on earning, too little on evolving,' he added. India have four more games remaining and are bottom of the group. India will be visitng Singapore and Bangladesh for away fixtures and also host Singapore and Hong Kong.
