12 August,2024 02:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Manolo Marquez (Pic: File Pic)
The Indian football team's newly appointed Manolo Marquez feels that several players in the team can fill in Sunil Chhetri's shoes.
Sunil Chhetri announced his retirement from the sport in June. In July, Manolo Marquez who was head coach of FC Goa was appointed as head coach of the national team.
"To find one player who scores more than ninety goals in a national team is very difficult. The thing that we need to find not only the replacement of Sunil in this case is you have to find the correct players to play in the team. I prefer a team that scores goals. If you have it, it's very good. There are several players that can play in his (Chhetri's) position," Marquez said while speaking to ANI.
Chhetri helped India win the 2007, 2009, and 2012 Nehru Cup, as well as the 2011, 2015, 2021 and 2023 SAFF Championships. He also led India to victory in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, which helped India qualify for its first AFC Asian Cup in 27 years. He kicked off his professional football journey with Mohun Bagan in 2002.
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The Spaniard further said that he thinks that there is a need to improve the level of football starting from the grassroots to the national team and the Indian Super League (ISL) as well.
"I think that we need to improve the level of Indian football in all aspects, from the grassroots to the national team and ISL. Every aspect we need to improve... more talented players. Sunil (Chhetri) said that India is not a country for sports and it's the country with more population in the world. But India would have to be the top team in more sports, not only in Cricket and we need to find these talented players," the 55-year-old added.
Earlier, Igor Stimac was sacked from the position of head coach of the national team following the poor run of the Indian team in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign.
Manolo Marquez has been coaching in India since 2020. He has coached two ISL clubs; his first stint was with Hyderabad FC (2020-23) before he switched over to FC Goa (2023-present). He is an ISL Cup winner with Hyderabad FC in 2021-22. Overall, Marquez had an extensive coaching career in Spain: Las Palmas (top division) and Las Palmas B, Espanyol B, Badalona, Prat, Europa (third division).
(With ANI Inputs)
