SOCCER
Luiz Felipe Scolari linked with Mexico job: could he take over from Jaime Lozano?
The experienced manager has been strongly linked with the job of managing El Tri, should Jaime Lozano leave the role.
Luiz Felipe Scolari is a strong candidate to become the new coach of the Mexican National Team for the next Copa América, according to Rádio Grenal. The Brazilian was dismissed from Atlético Minerio at the end of March, being a decision of mutual agreement and, moreover, surprising due to the fact that he qualified the side to the final of the Mineiro Championship.
“[The information] is from Mexico. Felipão will start a World Cup cycle. According to Guto Lopes, the coach is close to being announced by the Mexican National Team”, published Rádio Grenal on its social networks.
Mexico’s wobbly managerial road
Jaime Lozano’s tenure is being scrutinised after the 0-2 loss to the United States in the final of the CONCACAF Nations League in March. He has always been questioned by Mexican fans, who would welcome the arrival of the Brazilian coach.
Lozano, despite the feeling around him now, had indeed led something of a resurgence with El Tri. The 2022 World Cup campaign, led by Inter Miami’s Tata Martino, was a resounding failure with the team being knocked out at the group stages for the first time in 7 tournaments. Martino announced his resignation after their ultimately futile win against Saudi Arabia in the final game of the first round.
Diego Cocca was chosen as the man to lead the revolution but it failed spectacularly, with reports of player unrest and fan boycotts filling the newspapers in Mexico. Results did nothing to help Cocca and he was relived of his duties after just four months in what became a full-scale FMF reshuffle.
With Lozano, the team appeared immediately happier and despite not lighting up the world, results have been solid. However, the loss to the USMNT in the Nations League final was enough for fans to forget about the Gold Cup win, and now Lozano’s future is not secure.
Mexico will play against Jamaica, Venezuela and Ecuador in the Copa América and before that will play several friendlies against Bolivia, Uruguay and Brazil in the United States.