MEXICO NATIONAL TEAM
What did interim Mexico coach Jaime Lozano say in his first meeting with El Tri’s Gold Cup roster?
Mexico sacked Diego Cocca as manager less than a week before their 2023 Gold Cup debut against Honduras.
Jaime Lozano’s spell as head coach of the Mexican national team is underway, with El Tri’s 2023 Gold Cup opener just around the corner. Accompanied by Duilio Davino, the Mexican Soccer Federation (FMF) National Team Director, ‘Jimmy’ addressed the roster for the first time since taking his new post, with fans able to watch along on social media.
The interim boss will be thrown in at the deep end, with Mexico playing their first game in the tournament against Honduras on Sunday 25 June. In his first talk with the 23 members of the Gold Cup roster, Lozano spoke of the trust he had in them and their ability to overcome the United States and Canada to become Concacaf’s dominant force once again.
“Fantastic human beings, a great generation of players”
“It is an honour to be here in front of you, it is an honour to represent Mexico. I was in your position many years ago and I am convinced that you are a fantastic group of human beings and that we have a great generation of players. That’s clear to me, otherwise I wouldn’t be here today, first of all because I’m not going to make a decision without the people who are in front of me. Many thanks to the staff, because they shield this group of players and make a huge effort to allow you concentrate on doing what you do best in the best possible way.
“I also want you to know that I believe in your ability and I also believe in myself and my coaching staff. I have no doubt that we will move forward. This is the type of situation in which the best stories in life are forged,” enthused Lozano.
Davino also spoke to the roster: “It’s a new challenge, it’s a tournament we want to win. Welcome Jimmy and his coaching staff. We hope we can achieve that goal” .
Lozano leads Mexico again after Olympic medal
After Mexico were heavily beaten in the semi-finals of the Concacaf Nations League by the USMNT and were forced to settle for third place in the tournament, the FMF made the decision to dismiss Diego Cocca as national team boss and replace him, initially on a temporary basis, with Lozano, who does have previous experience of coaching in the national team set-up.
‘Jimmy’ was in charge of the Mexico under-23 team which won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021, the second time El Tri have won an Olympic medal after gold in London in 2012.