MEXICO
Could Javier Aguirre return to Mexico coaching post for a third time?
According to Fox Sports MX, the Mexican Football Federation are considering the Mallorca coach as an option for the bench.
It is not the first time, nor will it be the last. The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) is reported to be considering Mallorca coach Javier Aguirre as an alternative to the current coach of Mexico’s national team, Jimmy Lozano.
Following Mexico’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to the United States in Sunday’s CONCACAF Nations League final, it appears that there could be changes at management level. The FMF is aware that Aguirre’s contract with Mallorca is due to expire on 30 June and that, as of the moment, the Spanish club has not yet expressed an interest in renewing the Mexican coach’s contract. Aguirre has two challenges pending with the islanders - the first is in the Copa del Rey final where they will face Athletic Club on 6 April. Mallorca will be hoping Aguirre can guide them to their second title - they lifted the cup for the one and only time in 2002 and ended as runners-up in 1991 and 1998.
LaLiga survival
The second task is making sure that the team survives at least another season in the top flight. Mallorca are currently 14th in LaLiga, eight places above the relegation zone which suggests that they are probably safe. Nevertheless, they still need to guarantee permanence in the nine games that remain.
Aguirre has coached his national team twice - he took the reins in June 2001 and remained at the helm for the 2002 World Cup in Japan/Korea (Mexico were eliminated in the Round of 16 by the United States). His second spell with Mexico began in April 2009 when he replaced Sven-Göran Eriksson. Aguirre’s Mexico made it through the group stage at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but once again were knocked out in the Last 16, this time losing 3-1 to Argentina.
The 65-year-old is regarded as a highly-experienced and knowledgeable coach. At international level he led the Tri to success in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup and his team finished as runners-up in the 2001 Copa América. At club level, he has managed several Liga MX sides - winning the title with Pachuca and guiding Monterrey to the CONCACAF Champions League title, the club’s fifth, in 2021.