Manolo Marquez's tenure as the head coach of the Indian national football team came to an end after a mutual agreement with the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Despite having a year left on his contract, Marquez expressed his desire to step down, leading to the mutual parting of ways.

Marquez's stint with the Blue Tigers lasted less than a year, making it the shortest among Indian head coaches in the last decade. He was officially appointed on July 20, 2024. The Spaniard's appointment followed the departure of Igor Stimac, who was sacked after a decline in the team's performance. India's FIFA ranking, which was 101 after the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, had fallen to 121 under Stimac.

Under Marquez's guidance, the Indian team struggled to find consistency, managing just one win in eight matches. The sole victory came against the Maldives in a friendly match in March. The team also suffered a painful last-minute defeat to Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, a result that further intensified scrutiny. Losses to Afghanistan and a draw against Bangladesh, both teams ranked lower than India, added to the pressure. Consequently, India's FIFA ranking slipped to 127.

The AIFF clarified that Marquez's departure was by mutual consent, dismissing reports suggesting he had been sacked. According to AIFF, after discussions, it was agreed that the AIFF and Manolo Marquez could not continue together. Following Marquez's exit, the AIFF has officially opened applications for the position of head coach of the Indian national team, with a deadline of July 13 for interested parties to apply.

Marquez's appointment was initially seen as a positive step, considering his successful track record in the Indian Super League (ISL). He had led both Hyderabad FC and FC Goa to the playoffs and won the ISL Cup with Hyderabad FC in 2021-22. However, his dual role as head coach of FC Goa and the Indian team raised questions about his ability to dedicate sufficient attention to the national team. Some argue that AIFF should be questioned for burdening him with heading the Indian football team while he also had ISL duties. Others have pointed out that Marquez's decision to revert to veteran Sunil Chhetri in a particular match might have impacted the team's progress, as he had previously focused on promoting younger players.

The AIFF is now actively searching for a new head coach to lead the national team. India's next challenge is a double-header against Singapore in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, where they aim to improve their standing after a poor start. The team is currently at the bottom of their group with only one point from their first two matches.