Hyderabad: After a breathtaking start to the season seven, that saw ATK Mohun Bagan and NorthEast United winning thrilling contests with mere one-goal margin and FC Goa and Bengaluru FC playing out a 2-2 draw, Indian Super League 2020-2021 is now set to go back to the GMC Stadium, Bambolim where the first match of the season held on Friday, November 20.
Hyderabad FC, which finished at the rock-bottom of the league table in their debut season, will begin their campaign against Odisha FC on Monday. The Hyderabad based club had a nightmarish season in 2019-2020 as they finished with just two wins and 10 points in 18 matches. Now ahead of the new season, Hyderabad FC have completely overhauled their squad and coaching staff in a bid to revive their fortune. They parted ways with as many as 14 footballers, including six of their foreign recruits, and signed 15 new faces for the new season.
They had also sacked English coach Phil Brown and appointed former Bengaluru FC manager Albert Roca midway through the season. But as Roca left the club to join FC Barcelona as a fitness coach, Hyderabad FC had to make a quick arrangement to sign a new coach for the new season. After a lot of calculations, they have finally zeroed to sign one year deal with Albert Roca's compatriot Manuel Marquez Roca, a Spaniard.
Also Read: ISL 7: FC Goa, Bengaluru FC share spoils after 2-2 draw at Fatorda
Manuel Marquez Roca, popularly known as Manolo Marquez, had over two decades of experience in managing top division football clubs in Spain, Croatia and Thailand. Among the renowned clubs that he managed were La Liga side Las Palmas and Istra 1961 of Croatia.
As Hyderabad FC begin their campaign on Monday with a wish to improve their last season's performance, the 52-year-old coach from Barcelona gave an exclusive interview to ETV Bharat on Saturday. Marquez, a defender by trade who hung up his boots at the age of 28 and took up coaching, talks about his players, expectations from Hyderabad FC, the challenges of playing in a bio-secure bubble, mental health of players, rebuilding a team in a short period of time and his view of Indian football among other things.
ETV Bharat: As a first-time coach in India what are you expecting from your players and the team this season?
Marquez: We have many young players like Rohit Danu, Akash Mishra, Biaka (Lalbiakhlua 'Baika' Jongte), Opi (Lalawmpuia) and Sweden Fernandes. We are very happy having these talented players on board. We want them to show passion, and if they play more games, they have the potential to become important players for the team.
There are many challenges when you join a new club. But the target is to arrive in the best conditions for the first game. We believe in the collective work of the players, staff and all the people at the club. Nothing is sure in football but we are optimistic.
ETV Bharat: There will be no home advantage for Hyderabad FC as the ISL is being played in three venues in Goa. What is your plan to negate the fear of not having 'home advantage' among your players?
Marquez: I think, fans are the most important to any football club. If you play in an empty stadium, it is worse. We like to play in front of full stands. It is a pity that there will be no people in the stands. But I don't think in the backdrop of this unprecedented situation (COVID-19 pandemic), the home advantage is that important.
ETV Bharat: You didn't get much time to organise a full-fledged pre-season training for your players because of COVID-19 forced lockdown in India. Now as the season starts how tough it is for you to organise everything in a short time, especially when you have a team to rebuild?
Marquez: It is very difficult. This is why continuity in the squad will be very important for all the teams in the first phase of the league.
For us, the first game is very important because it is good to start with a victory. For Monday's game, we will train on Saturday and Sunday. We will have light activation on the day of the game. We have been working for the whole week. We have played pre-season matches with very good teams to prepare.
ETV Bharat: Being closeted in a bio-bubble for a long duration will pose a serious challenge to the players, who are already deprived of competitive action. How will you counter this challenge, especially when your players have to find motivation from within?
Marquez: We have to adapt to the situations. We are lucky people because we are getting to work at such a time. Of course, whether it is the foreign players or Indian players and staff, we all miss our families. Such a situation is difficult for everyone all over the world but it will make us stronger. It is not a normal situation. It is new for all of us. We hope that it will get over as soon as possible.
ETV Bharat: What will be the team composition for Hyderabad FC's season opener against Odisha FC scheduled for November 23?
Marquez: It is difficult to say right now. Currently, we have only two injured players: Dimple Bhagat and Fran Sandaza. We still have a few more training sessions left before the game, so we will see how it goes and select the team accordingly. But above all, for me, it is most important to arrive in the best condition for Monday’s game. Our focus is to give our best on the field on the day.
ETV Bharat: Before coming in India what was your view of Indian football? Did you ever hear that India play football?
Marquez: It is not like that I did not know anything about Indian players. I know a few Spanish players, who have been playing here for a long time. They have helped me to get a broader view of Indian football. But I am surprised to see the level hard work some of the senior Indian players put up. They are good players. I believe, the younger players in India have a great future.
--- By Sudipta Biswas
