LIGA MX
Cruz Azul line up former Tigres and Mexico coach Diego Cocca for Liga MX Clausura 2024
La Máquina have endured a disastrous Apertura 2023 tournament, with Joaquin Moreno expected to be replaced on the bench.
Liga MX’s Apertura 2023 has been a tournament to forget for Cruz Azul, who have only taken 11 points from their opening 13 fixtures. Ricardo Ferretti lost his job as head coach back in August, while a number of off-field issues have also surfaced over the last few months. All in all, perhaps the best thing or all concerned with the club is to start looking ahead to the Clausura 2024 tournament.
Cruz Azul could still reach Liga MX playoffs
Ferretti’s replacement, Joaquín Moreno, who has taken interim charge a number of times over the years, has overseen a marginal improvement and it is not completely out of the question that La Máquina qualify for the play-in round of the Apertura 2023′s final phase, despite their struggles. However, club bosses are already on the hunt for a new manager with more first-team experience. And who better than a two-time Liga MX winner to take over the reins?
Ex-Mexico boss Cocca one of the main candidates for La Máquina
Recent reports have suggested Diego Cocca could be set to take charge of Cruz Azul and begin working on rebuilding the roster, the majority of which has remained unchanged for several tournaments. It had been hoped that Ferretti would overhaul the playing squad considerably more successfully than proved to be the case.
According to journalist Paco Arredondo of TUDN, former Tijuana, Atlas, Tigres and Mexico coach Cocca is the one of the main candidates having remained out of a job since losing his post as national team manager in June after only seven matches at the helm.
“NEXT? Former Mexico coach Diego Cocca is being considered by Cruz Azul’s multiple advisors for the next Liga MX tournament,” posted Arredondo on X.
Cocca’s struggles after Liga MX wins with Atlas
After winning both the Apertura 2021 and Clausura 2022 with Atlas, Cocca’s coaching career has come off the rails somewhat. He was appointed as Tigres boss at the start of 2023 but resigned after only five matches and little over a month in charge to take the Mexico job.
As mentioned, his time with the national team also ended abruptly, with players reportedly unhappy with a number of aspects of his management. Tigres, meanwhile, went on to be crowned Clausura 2022 champions following his departure, while Mexico won the 2023 Gold Cup less than a month after he left.