Indian players need more mental strength, says coach Marquez
Even in the best of circumstances, managing the Indian men's football team is an enviable job. It would be like receiving a hospital pass to do so at a time when Croatian Igor Stimac, who had a solid reputation when he arrived, has bitterly left the team and India's top goalscorer, Sunil Chhetri, has recently retired.
Manolo Marquez of Spain has been tasked with this difficult task after being awarded a three-year contract by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in the previous month. In addition, he coaches FC Goa of the Indian Super League (ISL). For the first year, the 55-year-old will do both duties at the same time before turning his full attention to the national team.
Until he was named coach of Hyderabad FC during the height of Covid in 2020, the Spaniard was unable to envision a role in Indian football. However, after he made the leap and started working in the ISL, people started to be interested in the position of India coach.
"I've spent five seasons in India. I might have thought I was insane if you had told me at the beginning of Covid that I would spend five seasons in India. However, the truth is that I have lived in this country for a greater number of years than in Spain. I had the impression that things in India would go well from the beginning. We are here, therefore obviously that thought was correct. It is a dream to be a national team coach in India for me,” Marquez said.
Marquez noted, "They are getting better, but it's the Indian mentality." We must get better in this area. They must possess mental toughness. In football, physical fitness, technique, and tactics are all crucial, but without a functioning head, there is nothing you can accomplish.
You have 70 minutes to win the game if you are behind 2-0 in the 20th minute. Furthermore, this is conceivable. This is the way of thinking. If the national team has the right mindset, we will see positive outcomes.
