Football, Manolo Marquez interview: FC Goa coach on working with young players, philosophy and more

Manolo Marquez hails from the Spanish city of Barcelona, the home of the eponymous football club often regarded as the birthplace of ‘Tika Taka’ – a brand of football that focuses on being patient with the ball and using short and quick passes to build play.

Under Pep Guardiola, FC Barcelona dominated European club football playing an eye-catching style of football. At the club, winning is important, but what is essential is winning by playing beautiful football.

Marquez, on the other hand, has a rather pragmatic approach to the sport, wherein winning takes importance over the style of play you employ.

Which is why Marquez’s appointment as the coach of Indian Super League club FC Goa is an exciting and intriguing one. Goa have been one of the best clubs in Indian men’s football since the first Indian Super League season in 2014, especially because of their attacking and attractive style of play.

However, the club has not consistently tasted success like Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Bengaluru FC or, recently, Mumbai City FC. Marquez’s arrival from Hyderabad FC, where he spent three successful seasons which saw the club win the ISL Championship once and finish in the top two twice, has raised hopes among the FC...

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