“They Deserve to Be the Champions”: Marquez Bows Out with Super Cup Glory for FC Goa

FC Goa manager Manolo Marquez ended his tenure with a resounding triumph as his side lifted the Super Cup 2025, defeating Jamshedpur FC 3-0 in the final at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. A brace from Borja Herrera and a goal from Dejan Drazic ensured a fitting farewell for the Spaniard, who will now take over as head coach of the Indian national football team.

The dominant win also marked FC Goa’s return to the continental stage, securing a berth in the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two, their first in four years.

“It has been a great tournament for us. We have a fantastic group of players, and they completely deserve to be the champions,” Marquez said during the post-match press conference, smiling widely.

“When we arrived here, we knew that we needed to win four games. And we did it,” he added, reflecting on a flawless Super Cup campaign.

Marquez’s journey with FC Goa has been one of near-misses and growth. Since taking charge in 2023 after a title-winning stint with Hyderabad FC, he led the Gaurs to back-to-back ISL Cup semifinals, only to fall short against Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC. This season, he came agonisingly close to clinching the ISL League Shield, finishing second to Mohun Bagan Super Giant, who went on to complete a domestic double.

The Super Cup triumph, therefore, arrives as a well-earned reward and a moment of redemption for the outgoing coach.

“This year, the group was very strong. They are friends more than teammates, which is very difficult to find,” Marquez praised his squad. “I feel that this club may not be the best in India in terms of titles. But in terms of organisation, I think FC Goa is the best.”

Looking ahead, Marquez warned against dismantling the current squad, emphasizing the importance of continuity in modern football. “Speaking from my experience in India, continuity is very, very important. Now, in modern football, with the agents, the players move around constantly,” he said. “But if you get to keep the same group of players, usually the results are better every season. I believe that it would be a big mistake to destroy this group.”

As FC Goa basks in Super Cup glory, the club also turns a new page, preparing for both domestic and continental battles ahead—armed with a cohesive squad and a legacy of belief instilled by Marquez.