Manolo Marquez got a fitting farewell when FC Goa lifted him in the air following their 3-0 Super Cup victory over Jamshedpur FC in Bhubaneswar last week. With the tournament marking the end of the Indian football season, Manolo's term with FC Goa officially came to an end on May 31. It also marked the end of his dual role as a coach.

Since his appointment as India coach in July 2024, Manolo had been handling a rare dual role - managing both FC Goa and the Indian men's football team. He has managed both roles quite effectively, losing just one of his six international games and leading FC Goa to a Super Cup triumph last week.

However, Manolo is now unsure about continuing his stint with the AIFF. His contract with the Indian football federation runs till May 31, 2026, with the provision for a one-year extension. But there is uncertainty about his future. India will play a FIFA friendly against Thailand and Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong next month. Manolo has already submitted the list of probables to the AIFF and is now preparing the team in Kolkata.

Although Manolo has not opened up to the media yet, there is an uneasy calm about his future.

“I prefer not to speak before the Hong Kong tie,” Manolo told Hindustan Times.

Times of India, meanwhile, quotes sources familiar with the development: “Manolo has found it challenging to fully settle into the international role,” a source said. “There are too many disruptions, from last-minute changes in plans to the difficulty of building continuity with players who return to club duty. There are issues off the field too. All this has made the international job feel more fragmented than fulfilling.”

The first sign of Manolo's frustration with Indian football came to the fore when India meekly settled for a goalless draw against Bangladesh in Shillong on March 25. Manolo termed the performance as “very, very poor”.

The Spaniard has reportedly been unhappy with the operations of the Indian team, with last-minute changes in schedules and logistics irking him often.

Manolo, on the other hand, appreciated FC Goa as "the best club in India in terms of organisation". "When you are a coach, it’s a dream to train a team like this because the atmosphere is top," he added.

There are also rumours that Manolo might resign from his position as India head coach and sign a fresh contract with FC Goa.

The Super Cup win means FC Goa have qualified for the AFC Champions League Two playoffs for next season. The FC Goa management will not want to let him go if he is interested in staying back after a two-year stint.

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