LIGA MX
What did Guillermo Almada say about being overlooked for the Mexican national team job?
Tigres boss Diego Cocca has been appointed as the new Mexico head coach ahead of Pachuca manager Guillermo Almada.
For many, Guillermo Almada was the one of the main contenders to take over as Mexican national team head coach. Ultimately, however, the FMF (Mexican Soccer Federation) chose Diego Cocca for the post instead. The Pachuca boss has stated that he has already turned the page and wished Cocca the best of luck in his new role, offering to help the Argentine as much as possible as a club manager.
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Almada “grateful for support”
“As far as the national team goes, I’d like to thank the Owners Committee for listening to the proposal made by (Mexican national team director) Rodrigo Ares de Parga, (sporting director) Jaime Ordiales and everyone else. I’d also like to congratulate Cocca and wish him all the best with the national team, it’s something we’re all a part of. A very big thank you to everyone who thought that we could lead Mexico, I’m grateful”, he explained.
“I had another call after Ares de Parga and Jaime Ordiales, which I am very grateful for. I have to insist that this chapter is now closed and we now have to show our support. I wish Diego Cocca all the success that he deserves, I can’t say anything else. Thanks to the Owners Committee for having thought of us and listening to us”, Almada added.
Pachuca will do “whatever they can” to help Diego Cocca and Mexico
“Our door is always open for Diego, whenever he wants. He can come and see the players, our training sessions. We will comply with any requests made by the coaching staff of the Mexican national team, whether it’s related to training sessions, workload, whatever they want. We will do whatever we can to help the national team achieve its goals”, said the Pachuca coach after the 1-1 against Chivas on Saturday night.
Finally, Almada rejected the idea that he was hurt by the snub. “I’m really motivated, really excited and I am very grateful for the backing of all the Mexican fans, who have really got behind us in our bid to take charge of the Mexican national team. We are focused on the work we are doing in Pachuca. We were aware of the affection that our fans, our bosses and our players have shown towards us. We publicly appreciate the support they have shown us, because it makes us feel as if we have the backing of the people that we’re working for and things are going in the right direction.”