MLS
A journalist compared Gerardo Martino to Jaime Lozano.... and he wasn’t happy about it
The Argentine was criticised for Inter Miami’s poor performance against Charlotte in the final MLS game of the season.
Inter Miami flopped to a sorry 1-0 loss against Charlotte FC, who made the playoffs on the final day of the MLS 2023 season. After the game, it was The Herons’ manager who was singled out - again.
The Inter Miami manager, with a simply sensational amount of backing, support which included bringing in a 7-time Ballon d’Or winner, failed to meet the club’s objectives and their season is done: competing for the MLS playoffs for the title is off the cards.
In the post-match press conference, the Argentine boss was questioned about and compared to the current Mexico coach, Jaime Lozano, who has had a fantastically positive start as the leader of EL Tri.
Lozano ‘came into the job with everything’
The journalist Fernando Zelaya took the decision to put the two coaches side by side, it’s safe to say that the answer he received was good enough for the headlines: “You came here full of beans, didn’t you! You are Mexican, right? If [Mexico under Lozano] play better, then let it be welcome, because it means [the change] has been for the better”, snapped Martino, who had Lionel Messi join his squad just months ago and has recently opened the door for Luis Suárez - Barcelona’s 3rd all-time top scorer - to join.
“Of course”, he continued, “I don’t know if comparisons should be made. What needs to be done is to support such a big process and ensure that it ends in the best way.”
Mexico had worst World Cup performance for 5 decades years under Martino
In addition to the spicy words, Martino considered that the question was out of place, calling it “disrespectful”. Almost a year ago, at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the then-Mexico boss led Mexico to their worst performance in the showpiece tournament since 1978, which was the last time they failed to get out of the group stage.
Last year, El Tri drew against Poland, lost to eventual champions Argentina and an insufficient number of goals in the victory against Saudi Arabia sealed the fate of the national team. Gerardo Martino announced his decision to step down from the role immediately after Mexico’s exit was confirmed.
