We’ll get good outcomes if the mentality is correct, says new soccer coach Marquez

India’s new soccer coach Manolo Marquez
| Photograph Credit score: The Hindu

The newly appointed nationwide soccer coach Manolo Marquez has admitted there are challenges forward for the staff however is hopeful of bettering each the requirements and the standings in his three-year tenure that begins subsequent week.

In his first official interplay with the media in New Delhi on Sunday (August 11, 2024) Spaniard Marquez, named as substitute for Igor Stimac final month, was trustworthy in his evaluation of Indian gamers being reluctant to maneuver out of their consolation zones and being mentally not sturdy sufficient.

“The extent of Indian gamers is best than what it was 5 years in the past. However it may be higher and enhance sooner. My feeling is that Indian gamers are very comfy. Life is excellent for them within the ISL and it’s tough for them to attempt to go overseas. You’ll develop whenever you play overseas. I’m not talking in regards to the high degree, Premier League or LaLiga. However when you go overseas and play in opposition to opponents who’re higher than you, you’ll enhance,” he mentioned candidly.

Solely a handful of Indians have ever signed up with a international membership — Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan and Sunil Chhetri amongst them. Not surprisingly, they’ve been the perfect performers with the nationwide facet in the previous couple of years. Marquez additionally declared that the Indian gamers wanted to toughen up mentally.

“We have to enhance on this facet, they must be stronger mentally. Method, techniques, health are vital but when the top doesn’t work, you are able to do nothing. If you’re dropping 2-0 within the twentieth minute, you’ve gotten 70 minutes to show the sport. And that is potential. If the mentality is right, we are going to get good outcomes,” Marquez shrugged.

He additionally burdened on the significance of being skilled greater than as soon as, refusing to be bothered with doubts of battle of curiosity in his position because the chief coach of Indian Tremendous League membership FC Goa. “It isn’t the primary time, it received’t be the final. It isn’t widespread however there are large names, Guus Hiddink, Renus Michels and others, who’ve managed a membership and nationwide staff. It’s lastly about professionalism. We’ll work very onerous for the nationwide staff,” he mentioned.

Whereas he was glad to get an opportunity to educate a nationwide staff, Marquez additionally agreed that getting Indian coaches was the important thing to long-term success. “One goal for the nationwide staff going ahead ought to be to have an Indian coach. I can converse excellent about India however an Indian coach will know higher how the nation works and other people in each a part of India,” he insisted.