Atlas in search of new coach after Benjamín Mora departure

Atlas finds itself without a coach. Benjamin Mora was dismissed on Monday night after the team’s poor performance over the last five rounds of the 2023 Liga MX Apertura, which has has left them currently outside the qualification zone. As it stands, they are not even in contention for the ‘play in’ tournament.

“We inform that, after the session of the Atlas FC Sports Committee on this Monday, October 30th, it was decided by mutual agreement with Benjamin Mora to terminate his contractual relationship with Atlas FC. We appreciate all the work and commitment demonstrated by Benjamin and his coaching staff during their time with the Rojinegros and wish them the best of success in their future projects,” stated Atlas in a brief press release.

Mora is no more at Atlas

Atlas suffered a 2-0 defeat on Sunday in their visit to Xolos de Tijuana. Less than 24 hours later, the Mexican coach was let go. This marked their fourth loss in the last five matches, during which they managed just one point out of a possible 15. The poor streak had become an insurmountable situation, leading to the decision to remove the coach who arrived prior to the previous season.

Currently, Atlas is positioned at the 13th spot in the standings with 16 points, just two points away from the ‘play in’ zone and five points away from direct qualification to the Liguilla. There are three regular-season games left to play. Numerically, the situation may not have appeared as dire, but it is compounded by rumours of division within the team among some of the squad’s key figures.

Even after the loss to Tijuana, Benjamin Mora had remained hopeful about keeping his position.

“We have fallen into a significant slump in terms of results,” he said. “Not all the games we’ve played have been bad. Definitely, I’m not the one to say whether I’m the right person to continue or not. I feel very good with the team; the team has good energy, and we all want to fight for the same cause. As long as the management and the players believe I can help them get out of this slump together, I’ll keep trying with all I have, which is passion, certainty, and belief in the players.

“So, I repeat: the responsibility for all of this falls on me, but we’re still alive, we still have life, there are still nine points to fight for, and we’ll go for whatever we can.” However, he is now out of Atlas.

Chivas pain for Mora’s Atlas

In October of last year, Benjamin Mora was appointed as the team’s coach. He had time for preseason preparations, and in the Clausura 2023, he managed to lead Atlas to the quarterfinals, where they were eliminated by Chivas, their arch-rival. It was also Guadalajara that inflicted the most painful defeat of this tournament, a 4-1 loss. After that Clásico, the relationship with the fans soured, and now, with five winless matches, Atlas is in search of a new coach.