After a failed experiment in hiring a young coach, Mexico will begin Javier Aguirre‘s third stint on the Mexican team’s bench today when they face New Zealand in a friendly match.
Although he had been guaranteed a position as coach at the 2026 World Cup, Jaime Lozano was fired days after the team’s elimination in the first round of the last edition of the Copa América held in the United States, after just over 12 months in the job.
“Jimmy” arrived at the post with little club experience and the meritorious achievement of a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In the end, that lack of experience as a strategist ended up costing him his job.
The leaders made a complete change of direction and convinced the 65-year-old “Vasco” Aguirre to take charge of the team for the third time. He had previously managed the team at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan and in South Africa 2010. Both stages ended with elimination in the round of 16.
“It is a pride to be here again, coming to my country always comforts me and coming to the national team is a new challenge,” said Aguirre. “This project is not about saving a qualifying round (as happened in 2002), it is something that will last until 2030 and I am very excited about it.”
“The national team means a lot to me, playing at a World Cup at home encourages me, it’s a great opportunity to prepare myself,” said Marquez, who was captain five times in the same number of World Cups in his career.
For the match against New Zealand, Aguirre called on 17 players who were in the Copa América and surprised everyone by leaving out forwards Hirving Lozano and Raúl Jiménez. He also did not take goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa into account.
Aguirre only started working on the field this week. During training he has changed his tactical formation, between a line of five and a line of four. He is expected to use five defenders with two full-backs who will run along the flanks and contribute to the attack.
After facing New Zealand, Mexico will face Canada on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.— AP
#Javier #Aguirres #era #Tri #begins
2024-09-14 22:27:21
– How does Javier Aguirre’s coaching experience benefit the Mexico national team?
Table of Contents
Mexico’s National Team Makes a Comeback with Javier Aguirre at the Helm
After a disappointing stint with a young coach, the Mexican national team is set to begin a new chapter under the experienced leadership of Javier Aguirre. The 65-year-old coach, affectionately known as ”Vasco,” will take charge of the team for the third time in his career, starting with a friendly match against New Zealand.
A New Direction After a Failed Experiment
The decision to appoint Aguirre comes on the heels of a disappointing tenure by Jaime Lozano, who was fired after just over 12 months on the job. Lozano, who was entrusted with leading the team to the 2026 World Cup, failed to impress during his stint, culminating in the team’s elimination in the first round of the Copa América held in the United States.
Lack of Experience Proves Costly
Despite his impressive achievement of winning a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Lozano’s inexperience as a strategist ultimately cost him his job. The Mexican football federation (FMF) was forced to re-evaluate its decision and opt for a more seasoned coach to guide the team towards success.
Agiuirre’s Return
Aguirre, who has previously managed the team at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan and in South Africa 2010, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role. Although both of his previous stints ended with elimination in the round of 16, Aguirre remains optimistic about the team’s prospects under his leadership.
A New Challenge Ahead
“I am proud to be here again, coming to my country always comforts me and coming to the national team is a new challenge,” Aguirre said in a statement. “This project is not about saving a qualifying round (as happened in 2002), it is something that will last until 2030 and I am very excited about it.”
Building Towards the Future
Aguirre’s appointment is seen as a long-term investment in the team’s success, with the coach committing to lead the team until 2030. This decision signals a shift in focus towards building a strong foundation for future success, rather than just targeting short-term gains.
Marquez’s Endorsement
Rafael Marquez, a legendary defender who has captained the team five times in as many World Cups, has also expressed his support for Aguirre’s appointment. “The national team means a lot to me, playing at a World Cup at home encourages me, it’s a great opportunity to prepare myself,” Marquez said.
The Road Ahead
As Aguirre takes the reins, Mexico faces a friendly match against New Zealand, a game that will serve as a precursor to the team’s World Cup qualifying campaign. With Aguirre at the helm, the team will look to regroup and refocus its efforts towards achieving success on the international stage.
Conclusion
The appointment of Javier Aguirre as Mexico’s national team coach marks a new chapter in the team’s history. With his wealth of experience and knowledge, Aguirre is well-positioned to lead the team towards success in the years to come. As the team takes on New Zealand in a friendly match, fans will be eager to see the impact of Aguirre’s leadership and the direction the team will take under his guidance.
Keyword List:
Javier Aguirre
Mexico national team
Jaime Lozano
2026 World Cup
2002 World Cup
2010 World Cup
Rafael Marquez
New Zealand
Friendly match
Football
Soccer
Coaching change
* International football
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Javier Aguirre returns as Mexico’s national team coach after a failed experiment with a young coach. Read more about Aguirre’s third stint and the team’s prospects ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
How will Javier Aguirre impact the Mexico national team’s performance ahead of the 2026 World Cup?
Mexico’s National Team Makes a Comeback with Javier Aguirre at the Helm
After a disappointing stint with a young coach, the Mexican national team is set to begin a new chapter under the experienced leadership of Javier Aguirre. The 65-year-old coach, affectionately known as “Vasco,” will take charge of the team for the third time in his career, starting with a friendly match against New Zealand.
A New Direction After a Failed Experiment
The decision to appoint Aguirre comes on the heels of a failed experiment with a young coach, Jaime Lozano, who was fired just days after the team’s elimination in the first round of the Copa América held in the United States. Despite being guaranteed a position as coach at the 2026 World Cup, Lozano’s lack of experience as a strategist ultimately cost him his job.
Aguirre’s Coaching Experience: A Boon for the Mexican National Team
Aguirre’s coaching experience is expected to be a significant benefit to the Mexican national team. With a wealth of experience under his belt, including previous stints as coach of the Mexican team at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan and in South Africa 2010, Aguirre brings a level of expertise and knowledge that will be invaluable to the team.
“I am proud to be here again, coming to my country always comforts me and coming to the national team is a new challenge,” Aguirre said in a statement. “This project is not about saving a qualifying round (as happened in 2002), it is something that will last until 2030 and I am very excited about it.”
Aguirre’s Vision for the Team
Aguirre has already begun putting his stamp on the team, calling up 17 players who were part of the Copa América squad and surprising many by leaving out forwards Hirving Lozano and Raúl Jiménez, as well as goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. During training, Aguirre has been experimenting with different tactical formations, including a line of five and a line of four defenders, with two full-backs who will be expected to contribute to the attack.
A New Era for the Mexican National Team
As the Mexican national team prepares to take on New Zealand and Canada in friendly matches, Aguirre’s appointment marks a new era for the team. With his wealth of experience and expertise, Aguirre is expected to bring a level of stability and consistency to the team that was lacking under Lozano’s leadership.
“It is a pride to be here again, coming to my country always comforts me and coming to the national team is a new challenge,” Aguirre said. “This project is not about saving a qualifying round (as happened in 2002), it is something that will last until 2030 and I am very excited about it.”
Optimism Ahead of the 2026 World Cup
With Aguirre at the helm, the Mexican national team will be looking to make a strong showing at the 2026 World Cup, which will be held on home soil. The team’s captain, Rafa Marquez, has already expressed his optimism about the team’s chances under Aguirre’s leadership.
“The national team means a lot to me, playing at a World Cup at home encourages me, it’s a great opportunity to prepare myself,” Marquez said.
As the Mexican national team looks to put the disappointment of the Copa América behind them, Aguirre’s appointment marks a new chapter in the team’s history. With his experience and expertise, Aguirre is expected to lead the team to new heights and bring success to the Mexican national team.
Keywords: Javier Aguirre, Mexico national team, 2026 World Cup, Copa América, Jaime Lozano, Rafa Marquez, Hirving Lozano, Raúl Jiménez, Guillermo Ochoa.
