Official: Marco Antonio ‘Chima’ Ruiz appointed Tigres coach
The 53-year-old former player confirmed who will form part of his coaching staff. His first game in charge will be the 2023 Clausura Week 6 meeting with Pumas.
Tigres officially presented their new coach following Diego Cocca’s decision to take the Mexico job. Marco Antonio Ruiz has been chosen to take the reins - he will make his debut in Sunday’s game against Pumas.
The board, led by Mauricio Culebro, announced Chima’s appointment. The 53-year-old says he feels ready for this new challenge. He also confirmed who will form part of his coaching staff to help him in his new role: “If anyone knows what it means to be a tigre (tiger), it is me. (I want) to thank Mauricio [Culebro] and Toño [Sancho] and I will do my best to achieve the goals the club has set. We must show great commitment and we will seek to get the team the highest it can, in all of the tournaments we are playing in,” he said.
“I am fully aware of responsibility that comes with this job. But I feel able enough to do it. I have 14 years of experience in coaching. I have had achievements not only at the club level, but also with the national team. The important thing is that the team knows me and I know them. Now it’s just a matter of getting down to work. My coaching staff will be made up of people with a Tigres background, so they will have that commitment to the club. Marcos Ayala, as assistant; Juninho, and Hugo Ayala. Also Juan Carlos Ortega will collaborate as an adviser in this project,” explained Chima Ruiz, who spent several seasons with Tigres as a player in two different spells - 1991-98 and 2002-2004. He was also capped 16 times by Mexico.
Ruiz said he is proud to be taking this step and will try to make the most of this opportunity and not waste it. “I know that opportunities appear when one least expects them. I am ready and prepared. There is little time for the next game and, after that we have two games in quick succession, but I have every confidence in the squad. Not everything is bad, there are good things and we will try to reinforce what is being done well and little by little install our own idea own,” he concluded.
AS Mexico was able to learn that a meeting will be held to define the next Auriazul coach. Meanwhile, Ruiz will lead his team against Pumas this weekend ahead of a mid-week clash against Juárez.
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Chima’s career
Born in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Chima Ruiz played for Tampico Madero, Chivas, Tigres, Querétaro and San Luis before retiring in 2005. As a coach, he led several Mexico teams at various youth levels - Under-15, Under-17, Under-20 and Under-21. His side reached the final of the Under-17 World Cup in 2019, which they lost to Brazil. He has been linked to the Tigres coaching post for the past couple of years.