“No Pride in the Shirt?” – Manolo Marquez Blames Mentality for India’s Football Struggles

Manolo Marquez, who used to coach India’s men’s soccer team, has been talking about his short and rough time with the Blue Tigers. He’s worried that the players didn’t seem to have enough pride and a clear sense of identity when he was in charge.

In a straightforward interview with the Hindustan Times, Manolo Marquez said, “I think the players should feel more honored to play for the national team.”

He did say that this wasn’t the only reason India hasn’t been doing so well recently, but it was something that really bothered him.

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One Win in Eight Matches: The Bitter Truth

Manolo Marquez’s brief tenure saw India only win once in eight matches, a period that has nearly ruled India out of AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification. When he was appointed, hopes were high, but inconsistency, lack of stability in the squad, and tactical confusion meant disappointment.

One of the most revealing admissions Marquez made was regarding India’s constantly changing squad. In his words:

“If you call 49 players in five FIFA windows, it means you never found the correct group.”

Manolo Marquez said his goal was to create a solid group of dependable players, but for different reasons, it never came together. This lack of stability made the team weak and without clear direction.

He admitted this was his biggest mistake as a manager and took responsibility for not staying true to the original plan.

Chhetri’s Comeback: A Carefully Considered Risks Rather than Mistake

One of the main questions about Manolo Marquez’s reign as head coach was the decision to recall Indian legend, Sunil Chhetri. Some viewed it as a mistake while others did not; Marquez defended the choice:

“It was a risk, yes. But we were having problems getting goals, and he was scoring in the ISL.”

Marquez maintained the choice was based on form rather than sentiment; he pointed to the form of Chhetri for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL).

“If he did score against Bangladesh the situation would have changed,” he said.

Marquez called Chhetri a professional because he had no regrets about bringing him back (although there were some in the public)

Pride and Passion: The Missing Ingredients?

The former coach hinted at a psychological and cultural gap in how players approached wearing the national team jersey.

“Pride to play in the national team,” he emphasized again—a clear indication that India still needs to build a stronger footballing identity and culture rooted in pride and responsibility.

Even though Manolo Marquez is done, what he said still matters. India’s getting ready for the AFC Asian Cup in 2027, and now it’s all about how well the team works together if players have the right attitude, and who the team can really depend on.

The AIFF is planning for the future with its Vision 2047 plan, and what Marquez said could really help Indian soccer move forward—that is if the people in charge are ready to listen.

Manolo Marquez’s thoughts aren’t just about what went wrong. It’s a reminder to everyone. What he said about how players feel, not having a solid group of dependable players, and trusting experienced guys like Chhetri should make players, coaches, and fans think hard about things.

India’s road to the AFC Asian Cup in 2027 and beyond needs to be about more than just game plans. It needs to begin with who they are, what they’re proud of, and what their goal is.