Aguirre tapped as Mexico head coach; Marquez named as deputy
Javier Aguirre was officially tapped as Mexico’s head coach on Monday, while former captain Rafael Marquez was named his deputy.
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AGUIRRE TAPPED AS MEXICO HEAD COACH, REPLACES LOZANO
Furthermore, Aguirre was tapped as Mexico head coach, replacing Jaime Lozano.
Lozano left the team after Mexico’s poor performance in Copa America 2024.
Moreover, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) announced the decision as it described the 65-year-old Aguirre as having a “strong track record.”
“Javier has a strong track record, with experience and undisputed leadership in team management, while Rafa has great skill in talent development,” the FMF said in a statement as reported by ESPN.
Interestingly, Aguirre led Mexico to the round of 16 in the 2002 and 2010 World Cups.
On the other hand, the El Tri was ousted in that round in every World Cup between 1994 and 2018.
Mexico was eliminated in the group stage in 2022.
NATIONAL TEAMS’ DIRECTOR LAUDS NEW MEXICO COACH, ASSISTANT
Moreover, Duilio Davino, director of national teams, lauded the Mexico coach and assistant moments after the FMF announcement.
Davino cited Aguirre as being “knowledgeable” about Mexico’s national teams.
He would later praise Marquez as “one of the most important players in Mexican history.”
“(Aguirre) is without a doubt the Mexican coach with the longest and most recognized career abroad and he also has in-depth knowledge of the processes in national teams,” Davino said.
“We have offered him (Marquez) to be the assistant until 2026 so that he can contribute his knowledge and then assume the leadership,” he added.
Furthermore, Lozano was offered an assistant role that was seen as a demotion, which the former coach politely declined.
EL TRI TO FACE NEW ZEALAND, CANADA IN FRIENDLIES UNDER AGUIRRE, MARQUEZ
Furthermore, the El Tri will face New Zealand and Canada in friendlies under Aguirre and Marquez in September.
Mexico is scheduled to take on New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on September 7 in the first of two US-based friendlies.
Moreover, the El Tri will travel to the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, to face Canada on September 10.
Meanwhile, Marquez hopes to share his vast international experience to this latest generation of Mexico national footballers.
Marquez played in five World Cups in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018.
Considered an El Tri legend, Marquez started coaching Alcala at the youth level after retiring in 2020 and Barcelona B in 2022.
Additionally, Marquez claimed four league titles as a player and two Champions League crowns with Barcelona.