MEXICAN NATIONAL TEAM
The next Mexico National Team manager will be announced “in two or three weeks”, says Ivar Sisniega
Despite the fact that Jaime ‘Jimmy’ Lozano won the Gold Cup with El Tri, his future at the helm is not guaranteed.
It seems as though the Mexican National Team are finally seeing the light at the end of the long tunnel. El Tri swept the ghosts of the 2022 World Cup away with a fantastic Gold Cup win in the final against Panama thanks to a late strike from Santiago Giménez. However, despite the good feelings that have returned, the future of manager Jaime ‘Jimmy’ Lozano, who led them to glory, is up in the air.
It will be decided in the coming weeks who is to be the permanent manager to lead Mexico into their 2026 World Cup preparation cycle, or so say the executive president of the FMF, Ivar Sisniega, who made things known on his arrival to the Mexico City International Airport. He said that there is no clearly defined timeframe for proceedings but that they hoped to have a new manager in as soon as possible.
Will Jaime Lozano stay as Mexico coach?
“There is not timescale”, said Sisniega, “but we are thinking in two or three weeks maximum [to have a new coach in place]. We want to leave no stone unturned and use all of our resources to have a clear and well defined criteria.
“Of course, it is important that the players feel united”, he continued, “that there is a good atmosphere - that is very important and we spoke about it to them, we asked them to trust us and they understood that. There is great communication with the players because the important thing is for them to feel supported by the Federation”, Sisniega said.
‘Jaime Lozano fits the profile, clearly he has done a good job’
As for Jimmy Lozano, the director admitted that the boss ticks a few boxes as regards to maintaining his position. “It’s not about a vote”, he said, “it’s about a criteria. Jaime Lozano fits the profile. Clearly he has done a good job and we are aware of that.”
Mexico secured their ninth Gold Cup in a tough final against Panama who shocked the world by knocking out the USMNT in the previous round. Despite a valiant effort in the final, they could not overcome Mexico who were riding the crest of a wave that had been building since Jimmy Lozano took over as head coach of the side.