A fresh rift has emerged within the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as National Team Director Subrata Paul has publicly contradicted AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey’s stance on the future of India men’s head coach Manolo Marquez. The development adds to the growing uncertainty surrounding Indian football’s leadership amid a string of poor results.
⚽ Paul’s Email Sparks Internal Disagreement
In an internal email dated June 24, Paul urged AIFF department heads to initiate discussions on appointing a new head coach, suggesting a choice between an Indian or foreign expert. This directly conflicts with Chaubey’s earlier statement that no decision would be made until the Executive Committee meeting on July 2.
“A crucial decision needs to be taken regarding the appointment of the head coach… keeping in mind the current complex scenario in the Asian Cup Qualifier group,” Paul wrote.
🗣️ Chaubey’s Public Position: Wait for July 2
At a press conference on June 13, Chaubey had stated:
“We’ve received several calls questioning whether [Marquez] should continue. A decision will be taken during the Executive Committee meeting.”
This statement was made in Paul’s presence, making the contradiction even more striking.
🇪🇸 Marquez’s Exit Already in Motion?
Reports suggest that Marquez had informed the AIFF of his intent to leave as early as April, during the Super Cup in Bhubaneswar. He agreed to stay on until the June 10 match against Hong Kong, which India lost 0–1. The defeat intensified calls for change, with Marquez’s tenure now under heavy scrutiny.
🧠 Broader Concerns Raised by Paul
In the April 17 technical committee meeting, Paul also flagged deeper issues:
- Player attitude and patriotism
- Lack of team spirit
- Club reluctance to release players for national duty
These remarks hint at systemic challenges beyond coaching, raising questions about the federation’s internal cohesion and long-term planning.
Stay tuned for the July 2 executive meeting outcome.
