Manolo Marquez's departure as India's head coach wasn't as straightforward as it seemed. While the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced a mutual parting of ways on July 2, 2025, Marquez has revealed that he actually tendered his resignation much earlier, in April. According to the Spanish coach, the AIFF requested him to stay on for the June window, indicating they tried to convince him to continue leading the national team.

Marquez's tenure, which began in June 2024, lasted only eight games, with a solitary win against the Maldives in a friendly match. The team also suffered three losses and managed four draws. The most recent setback was a 1-0 defeat to Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, further jeopardizing India's chances of qualifying for the 2027 edition.

Despite the poor results, Marquez insists that they weren't the primary reason for his decision to step down. In an interview with Marca, Marquez stated, "I resigned in April, but they asked me to do the June window. They tried to convince me for a month to continue at the head of the Indian national team". He further elaborated on his reasons, hinting at deeper issues within the system. "Coaching the Indian national team was the illusion of my life, but when you see that all teams do not play with the same rules, you feel that this is not your place," Marquez explained. He also acknowledged his own shortcomings during his time as coach.

Marquez's remark about teams not playing by the same rules alluded to unfairness within Indian football governance. This suggests that Marquez felt constrained by factors beyond just the team's performance on the field.

Adding to the complexity, Marquez was also managing FC Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL) during his time with the national team. This dual role drew criticism, with some alleging bias towards FC Goa players in his squad selections for the national team. "The season started badly with the national team and with Goa. I was receiving criticism from all sides," he admitted. Despite the criticism, he led FC Goa to the Super Cup title and a place in the AFC Champions League Two.

The AIFF has initiated the process of finding a new head coach. According to AIFF Deputy Secretary General K Satyanarayana, the federation will advertise the position shortly. India's next competitive assignment is against Singapore in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in October.

Marquez's departure marks a short and somewhat turbulent chapter in Indian football. While the official narrative focused on a mutual agreement, Marquez's revelation adds another layer to the story, hinting at underlying issues that contributed to his decision to leave. The AIFF now faces the task of finding a suitable replacement to guide the Blue Tigers forward.