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Marquez, who serves a dual role as the head coach of FC Goa as well as the Indian national football teams, has a knack for bringing out the best from his players and securing results, all while nurturing and developing young talent.
Manolo Marquez. (X)
Few head coaches in Indian Super League (ISL) history have showcased the level of consistency that Manolo Marquez has managed to achieve since arriving in India. The Spanish tactician, who is also the head coach of the Indian football team, has displayed a knack for transforming struggling teams into genuine contenders, making the playoffs in four out of his five seasons in the league.
Whether it was his time at Hyderabad FC or his current tenure at FC Goa, Marquez has consistently delivered results, often exceeding expectations.
Hyderabad Title
Marquez arrived in India ahead during the 2020-21 season, taking over a Hyderabad FC side that had finished bottom of the table in the previous campaign. Under his guidance, the team experienced a drastic improvement. While they narrowly missed out on the playoffs, finishing fifth, they ended the season with the joint-fewest losses (3) and boasted the third-best defensive record in the league, conceding just 19 goals in 20 matches. It was a remarkable turnaround for a team that had struggled in its inaugural season.
This was just the beginning of Marquez’s impact. The following season, Hyderabad FC took another massive leap forward, finishing second in the standings. They suffered just four losses in 20 games while winning 11 of them. They became the league’s most prolific attacking side, scoring 43 goals, while maintaining defensive solidity, conceding just 23 which was the second best record that season.
Their journey culminated in an ISL Cup triumph, as they defeated Mohun Bagan SG in the semi-final followed by Kerala Blasters FC in the final, securing the club’s first-ever piece of silverware. In just two years, Marquez had transformed Hyderabad FC from a bottom-placed side into champions.
The 2022-23 season saw Hyderabad FC build on their success, finishing second once again. They were agonisingly close to securing the League Shield, finishing just four points behind Mumbai City FC.
Marquez bettered his last season’s record, winning 13 out of 20 matches, while suffering just four defeats all season. Defensively, they were the strongest unit in the league, conceding a mere 16 goals. Their playoff journey ended in heartbreak, as they bowed out on penalties against Mohun Bagan SG in the semi-finals.
Hyderabad FC have been unable to sustain their level after Marquez parted ways with them at the end of the season. Since he left the club, they have not made it to the playoffs, having finished at the bottom during the 2023-24 campaign.
Goan switch
Following his successful three-year stint at Hyderabad FC, Marquez took over as the head coach of FC Goa during the 2023-24 season. The club had not qualified for the playoffs since the 2020-21 season, but Marquez quickly changed that. FC Goa finished third in the standings while recording 13 wins and just three defeats in 22 matches. They held the top position in the league for the longest period during the season but narrowly missed out on the League Shield, finishing just three points behind Mohun Bagan SG. Defensively, they were one of the strongest teams in the league, conceding only 21 goals.
FC Goa’s playoff campaign ended in disappointment, as they squandered a 2-0 lead in the first leg of the playoffs, losing both their playoff ties vs Mumbai City FC. Despite the heartbreak, Marquez had once again taken a struggling team and transformed them into serious contenders in just one season.
The current 2024-25 season has further cemented Marquez’s reputation as one of ISL’s finest tacticians. Despite a poor start, where FC Goa won just one of their first six matches, they responded with a sensational 12-game unbeaten run. As things stand, they occupy second place in the league, behind Mohun Bagan SG, who have already secured the League Shield. With 21 matches played, FC Goa has won 12 and lost only thrice, maintaining the second-best attacking and defensive record in the league.
Tactical Flexibility and Defensive Solidity
What has set Marquez apart is his emphasis on defensive solidity, tactical flexibility, and player development. His teams are always among the toughest to break down, thanks to a well-structured defensive setup that has ensured consistency across seasons.
Over the course of the season, Marquez has also adapted his tactics to suit the squad at his disposal. While his Hyderabad FC side relied on a defensively solid, counter-attacking approach, his FC Goa team has embraced a more front-foot style, aligning with the club’s philosophy of possession-based, attacking football.
And beyond tactics, Marquez has a proven track record of nurturing young talent. He played a crucial role in the rise of Indian players like Akash Mishra, Asish Rai and currently Brison Fernandes to name a few.
His teams have also consistently delivered in high-pressure league games, displaying resilience and fighting spirit when it mattered most. One could argue that it is Marquez who has brought out the best out of his squad.
Few managers have left such a lasting impression on Indian football as Marquez. His ability to turn struggling teams into playoff regulars, his knack for developing young talent and his tactical brilliance make him a rare breed in the ISL. With FC Goa once again among the frontrunners, it’s evident that the ‘Marquez effect’ is very much alive and as long as he is at the helm, his teams will always be a force to reckon with.
