Javier Aguirre has been chosen to lead Mexico’s national team once again, marking his third time as coach. The Mexican Soccer Federation made this announcement on Monday, revealing that Aguirre will take over from Jaime Lozano.
Joining Aguirre as his main assistant will be former defender Rafael Marquez, a legendary player who participated in five World Cups for Mexico and also served as the coach for Barcelona’s reserve team.
Aguirre, who is 65 years old, has previously guided Mexico to the round of 16 in the 2002 and 2010 World Cups. This appointment comes after a series of disappointing performances by Mexico in recent World Cup tournaments, including an early exit in the group stage in 2022.
Jaime Lozano, who took over as coach last year, led Mexico to victory in the 2023 Gold Cup. However, his tenure was cut short after Mexico’s poor showing in the Copa América, where they were eliminated in the group stage.
Aguirre is a trailblazer in Mexican football, being the only Mexican coach to have worked in Europe. He has managed six teams in Spain, including Atlético de Madrid and Mallorca, where he recently led the team to the final of the Copa del Rey.
In addition to his experience with Mexican national team, Aguirre has also coached the national teams of Japan and Egypt, showcasing his versatility and expertise in international football.
Aguirre’s first test as coach will come in September when Mexico faces off against New Zealand and Canada in friendly matches to be held in the United States.
Rafael Marquez, aged 45, will bring his wealth of experience as a player to his new role as lead assistant. Marquez captained Mexico in five World Cups, with his final appearance being in Russia in 2018. As a player, Marquez achieved great success with Barcelona, winning multiple league titles and two Champions League trophies.
Marquez’s transition to coaching has been seamless, as he spent the last two years coaching Barcelona’s reserve team, honing his skills and knowledge of the game.
The appointment of Aguirre and Marquez signals a new chapter for Mexican football, with fans eagerly awaiting the upcoming matches and tournaments under their leadership. Stay tuned for more updates on Mexico’s national team and their journey in international football.