Diego Cocca: the mistakes that cost him the Mexico job
The Argentinean’s tenure lasted little over four months. Last week’s defeat to the United States was the final straw.
Diego Cocca has been fired from his position as Mexico coach after just seven games in charge. The Argentine coach was appointed by the FMF in February, replacing Gerardo Martino. However, during his brief, four-month reign, he did not meet expectations, forcing the FMF to take the decision to bring in someone new for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup. FMF president Juan Carlos Rodríguez confirmed on Monday that former Under-23s coach Jaime Lozano will take over on an interim basis.
Cocca’s appointment caused divisions due to his connections with Grupo Orlegi and Alejandro Irarragori. Some observers could not understand why one of the principal candidates, Guillermo Almada, had been rejected. With the Argentinean in charge, Mexico never managed to find a style of their own and seven matches later, Cocca’s tenure ended.
What Diego Cocca got wrong with Mexico
The 3-0 Concacaf Nations League defeat to the United States
The journey home from the United States to Mexico must have seemed eternal for Cocca. Mexico crashed 3-0 to the USMNT and it could have turned out even worse. The lack of reaction from the bench left the Argentine without options of continuing.
Poor management and player selection
Some questioned his handling of the pre-tournament friendlies against Guatemala and Cameroon in which he used completely different players to the one she fielded in the Nations League, lining up a totally different starting XI.
Man management
Cocca received a lot of criticism from fans and journalists for omitting players who had otherwise been regular starters such as Johan Vásquez and Santiago Giménez. The central defender even mentioned that he did not feel valued after being left out.
Diego Cocca was not Juan Carlos Rodríguez’s personal choice as coach but as president, the ‘Bomba’ was responsible for sacking the former Racing Club de Avellaneda coach.