This past Thursday both the Mexican Federation of Futbol (femexfut) and the Directors of the National Teams announced the signing of new head coach Javier Aguirre. As stated on the federations home page, Aguirre will be presented on the 16th of April.
Negotiations for signing Javier Aguirre to once again take charge of the National Team -Aguirre was head coach of Mexico from 2001 – 2002- were complicated when it came time to assigning the rest of his staff. Aguirre came into talks with his own setup in mind and it seemed that the only way Aguirre would accept was to have Mario Carillo as his Assistant and to have Ignacio Ambriz, who was his assistant when Aguirre coached both Spanish clubs: Osasuna and Atletico de Madrid, to be in charge of the youth National Teams
Aguirre’s arrival to Mexico comes after having been sacked by Atletico de Madrid a few months back, for the team’s performance and standings, which would have left Atletico out of the Champions League standings.
Qualifications and Reformations
Mexico, out of the six other countries in the CONCACAF that are disputing to win their spots for the 2010 World Cup, are fifth in the standings. Considered one of the principal threats in the CONCACAF group, are now fighting to stay in the runnings and are forced to win the majority of their upcoming matches.
With Aguirre’s arrival, the pressure is on to meet all the expectations that Eriksson has failed to deliver on. Many say that Aguirre will bring much better results since he will be joined by another well known coach, Mario Carrillo, acting as his Assistant. Both have had success in Mexico as head coaches of Mexican clubs, Pachuca and Club America, respectively.
Ignacio Ambriz, assistant to Aguirre in Spain, will take on the challenging task of managing the young talent Mexico needs to develop in order to bring them into the Senior Team and help reform the process.
There have been debates over whether Aguirre will produce the same minimal success as Hugo Sanchez, or will Aguirre be the salvation Mexico has been in need of for quite some time. Personally, Aguirre should have never accepted Mexico’s offer for his return. He, before having been fired by Atletico de Madrid, has previously mentioned to have never had an interest in taking charge of the Mexican National Team. This is not to say that he should be considered a hypocrite. To return to a team that is suffering, and to polemic circumstances, Aguirre is walking into danger. If he is to not meet expectations, there is a definite possibility that his career could be tarnished.
The Last Word
Aguirre, you are an exceptional coach who deserves so much better. Forget the money or the conditions Mexico is willing to accept and abide by to have you there, turn back and walk away. You still have a chance.
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