Manolo Marquez's tenure as the head coach of the Indian national football team is facing uncertainty following a string of disappointing results, culminating in a recent defeat against Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday. Reports suggest that Marquez may be considering stepping down from his position, but any departure would require the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) permission and mutual agreement.

Marquez, who took charge of the Indian team in July 2024, has faced challenges in fully settling into the international role. Sources indicate that the Spaniard has found it difficult to build continuity with players who frequently return to their club duties. Off-field issues have also contributed to making the job feel more fragmented than fulfilling. Adding to the woes, fan frustration has grown due to the team's lackluster performance in 2025, marked by a series of losses where the team has struggled to score goals.

The recent 1-0 defeat against Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier has further jeopardized India's chances of qualifying for the 2027 Asia Cup. The decision to bench veteran Sunil Chhetri during the match has been viewed as a managerial misstep, increasing the pressure on Marquez.

Despite the speculation, an AIFF source has stated that Marquez has not yet submitted any formal request to resign. The source clarified that Marquez's departure would require a mutual agreement, with the AIFF needing to grant permission for him to leave. Marquez is under a two-year contract, and only about 11 months into the role, the unfavorable results have intensified pressure from various stakeholders.

Marquez's appointment as national coach in July 2024 was initially seen as a strategic move by the AIFF. He was allowed to continue coaching FC Goa alongside his national team duties until May 31, 2025. This arrangement helped ease the financial burden on the AIFF, especially after the controversial termination of former coach Igor Stimac's contract. The AIFF was keen on a coach with experience in the Indian football landscape. Marquez had previously coached Hyderabad FC with considerable success, leading them to their first Indian Super League (ISL) title in the 2021-22 season, before joining FC Goa.

Before his stint in India, Marquez had an extensive coaching career in Spain, including a period with Las Palmas in La Liga. He also coached in Thailand and Croatia. When he was appointed as the head coach, Marquez expressed his honor in coaching the Indian national team, a country he considers his second home.

As of now, Marquez is expected to remain in charge for the upcoming friendly against Thailand on June 4 and the crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong on June 10. The AIFF has not confirmed any potential replacements, but reports suggest that Khalid Jamil of Jamshedpur FC could be a candidate. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Marquez seeks to leave his post and what steps the AIFF might take in response.