Absolute disaster: Former Indian head coach criticizes Indian football administration
Manolo Marquez has launched a scathing critique of the state of football administration in India, describing the current situation as an “absolute disaster” as uncertainty continues to cloud the future of India’s premier football league, the Indian Super League. The FC Goa head coach’s comments come at a sensitive time, with increasing instability over scheduling, contracts and the long-term direction of the competition.
His comments come on the back of a disrupted the season in Indian footballwhere limited fixtures, delayed scheduling and commercial uncertainty have caused serious concerns among clubs, players and coaching staff about planning for the future.
“I’m from a different culture, a country where I can say what I want. It’s not like that here. I feel in India, people in football, journalists, they don’t talk clearly about the situation. The situation is an absolute disaster,” Marquez told the media ahead of FC Goa’s match against Kerala Blasters, as quoted by the Tech Word News.
“For example, FC Goa or the team that wins the ISL are playing very important matches (ACL 2 playoffs) in less than three months. You have to start the pre-season in less than two months, but nobody knows what will happen,” he added.
FUTURE UNCERTAINTY
FC Goa will take on Kerala Blasters in Kochi in their final match of the shortened ISL season. For Marquez, who has spent six seasons in India, his longest stint outside of Spain, the game could mark a turning point in his journey as he admitted uncertainty over his future amid uncertainty over the league’s structure and long-term direction.
“I don’t want to say a complete no because anything can happen at the last minute, but right now if you ask me. I don’t see a clear future for myself in India,” he added.
The Indian Super League season has been significantly affected this yearwith the schedule delayed and the number of matches reduced to 91 from 163 in the previous 2024–25 season. The restructuring comes with uncertainty over media rights and reduced commercial interest in the league, raising questions about the league’s financial stability and operational planning.
The uncertainty has also affected clubs and players nearing the end of their contracts, with several teams unsure of their preparations for next season. This created an environment of uncertainty with the coaching staff and management trying to plan preseason plans and retention strategies.
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Published on:
18 May 2026 18:57 IST