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MEXICAN NATIONAL TEAM

Nacho Ambriz’s controversial views on the Mexican national team and foreign managers

Toluca boss Ambriz wants the opportunity to coach El Tri at a World Cup but feels his media portrayal has held him back.

MéxicoUpdate:
Toluca boss Ambriz wants the opportunity to coach El Tri at a World Cup but feels his media portrayal has held him back.
Omar MartinezMEXSPORT

Is Ignacio Ambriz one of the most underrated managers in Mexican soccer? Either side of a tough spell in the Spanish second division with Huesca, he won a Liga MX title with León and then took current club Toluca to the Apertura 2022 final. However, those achievements weren’t enough for him to earn a shot at the Mexican national team job, something which he has revealed he is not best pleased about in an interview with ESPN.

“What do you want me to tell you, that I don’t like it? Well, I don’t like it. We are on our third foreign manager in a row but I think us Mexicans are good enough.

“I feel like I’m ready to be given an opportunity. I’ve been accused of having a low profile, the press don’t think of me as Mexican because of how dark my skin is, but I am. I’ve known everything there is to know about the Mexican national team since I was a child,” claimed the Toluca coach.

Argentinian Diego Cocca led Mexico to a win and a draw in his first two matches in charge.
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Argentinian Diego Cocca led Mexico to a win and a draw in his first two matches in charge. RAQUEL CUNHAREUTERS

Amrbiz’s World Cup dream

Ambriz didn’t rule out taking over as head coach of another CONCACAF nation: “No, not the United States, because of the rivalry. Canada, yes, but not the United States. I had talks about taking the Costa Rica job before the last World Cup. I presented them with my vision for their national team but it didn’t happen.

“If they had given me the opportunity, I would’ve taken it. I want to coach at a World Cup, preferably my own country. I know this is my last chance. I’m going to contradict myself, though, as how can give your all for another country against your own at a World Cup?” he mused.

As a player, Ambriz won the Gold Cup with Mexico in 1993. He also featured for El Tri at the 1994 World Cup, played in the United States, and the Confederations Cup (then called the King Fahd Cup) in 1995, in which they finished third.