New football coach questions Indian players’ mentality

New Delhi, August 11

The new Indian football team coach, Manolo Marquez, suggested that he is not proficient in English, hinting that he might get misquoted. But while trying to explain what the Indian players need to improve, the 55-year-old Spanish coach did not mince his words. Neither did he need any help from the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) media team when he called out the Indian players for being too happy in their home environment.

Marquez will also coach the ISL team FC Goa while taking over the coaching duties of the national team. “My opinion is that the level of Indian players is better than what it was five years ago. But it can be better and improve faster. My feeling is that Indian players are very comfortable in the ISL. You will grow when you play abroad,” Marquez, who first came to India five years ago to coach Hyderabad FC. “I am not speaking about the top level, in the Premier League or La Liga. But if you go abroad and play against opponents who are better than you, you will improve. But I understand that life is very good for them in ISL and it is difficult for them to try to go abroad,” he added.

Another improvement that the new coach, who took over Igor Stimac last month, is seeking is in the mentality of the young players. “They are improving, but it is the Indian mentality. We need to improve in this aspect. They have to be stronger mentally. In football, technique, tactics and physical condition are important, but if the head doesn’t work, you can do nothing. If you are losing 0-2 in the 20th minute, you have 70 minutes to turn the game. And this is possible. This is the mentality,” he said. — TNS