Mexico (EFE)
The president commissioner of the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), Juan Carlos Rodríguez, thus adopted his first transcendental decision since he took office, less than a month ago.
Cocca took over as coach last February, but the disappointing results precipitated his departure, especially the 3-0 defeat suffered last week by the United States in the semifinals of the Concacaf Nations League.
With no chance of fighting for the title, Mexico had to settle for a third place after beating Panama by the minimum on Sunday in a match that barely made up for the fragility of the Argentine coach’s project.
“In the last week I have found many deficiencies in planning, logistics, operation and lack of leadership at many levels. A game against the United States can be lost. What cannot be accepted is the way it happened, they gave up winning from the outset with logistical decisions that caused friction between the group”, explained manager Juan Carlos Rodríguez.
recompose course
In a video, Rodríguez said that he failed the fans, who in the match for third place in the League of Nations, in Mexico’s victory over Panama last Sunday, expressed their discontent with a low ticket to the Las Vegas stadium. Vegas Raiders.
In addition to the dismissal of Cocca, the Mexican Football Federation dispensed with Rodrigo Ares de Parga, in charge of coordinating all the national teams.
Coach Jaime Lozano, who was provisionally entrusted with the role of absolute coach, led Mexico to the conquest of the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Lozano will lead Mexico during the Gold Cup, whose debut will be this Sunday against Honduras.
“I thank Jaime for agreeing to lead the team from here to the end of the tournament. The players know you and love you well, Jaime. Several of them were part of the Tokyo process,” said Rodríguez.
Cocca and Mexico, an ephemeral story
Cocca came to the bench of the Mexican team to replace his compatriot Gerardo Martino, who led the team to the World Cup in Qatar, where he had a disappointing campaign.
Cocca’s era lasted just under four months and seven games, summed up with victories over Suriname and Panama in the League of Nations, and a win over Guatemala in a friendly match.
With Cocca el Tri, they lost by a landslide against the United States and two draws with the same team of the Stars and Stripes and the Jamaican team.