LIGA MX
Why did Crespo reject chance to become América head coach?
Club América are seeking a replacement for Fernando Ortiz - and it won’t be Hernán Crespo. The Al Duhail head coach has opted against going to Mexico.
Hernán Crespo has turned down the opportunity to take over as head coach of Liga MX giants Club América, AS understands.
Crespo not interested in coaching in Liga MX
Sources close to Crespo have told this newspaper that the Argentine, who is currently in charge of Qatari club Al Duhail, is prioritising a return to European soccer.
América got in touch with Crespo via an intermediary, who sounded the 47-year-old out over his willingness to replace Fernando Ortiz as América’s boss. After that initial contact, AS sources say, the conversations did not go any further.
Qatari league winner last month
Crespo, who has also coached Modena in Italy, Banfield and Defensa y Justicia in Argentina, and São Paulo in Brazil, took the helm at Al Duhail in December, and is under contract at the Qatar Stars League club until the end of June.
In May, he led Al Duhail to the Qatari title - his fifth piece of silverware as a coach. He has also won the 2020 Copa Sudamericana with Defensa y Justicia, the 2021 Torneo Paulista with São Paulo, and the 2023 Qatar Cup and Qatar Stars Cup with Al Duhail.
Ortiz leaves after Clausura disappointment
América parted company with Ortiz in May, after Las Águilas’ defeat to Chivas Guadalajara in the semi-finals of the Clausura 2023 tournament. The 45-year-old has since been confirmed as the new boss at Mexican rivals Rayados de Monterrey.