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Will Hugo Sánchez become Cruz Azul head coach? Mexico great confirms talks

Hugo Sánchez has told ESPN that he has held discussions with Cruz Azul, with a view to replacing the sacked Raúl Gutiérrez as La Máquina’s head coach.

México
Hugo Sánchez has told ESPN that he has held discussions with Cruz Azul, with a view to replacing the sacked Raúl Gutiérrez as La Máquina’s head coach.
GINNETTE RIQUELMEDiarioAS

Mexico legend Hugo Sánchez says he has spoken to Cruz Azul about replacing Raúl Gutiérrez as head coach of the Liga MX club.

Gutiérrez was sacked on Monday after a weekend defeat to Toluca continued the nine-time Mexican champions’ winless start to the Clausura 2023 tournament.

Sánchez unsure how many candidates are in Cruz Azul running

Speaking on ESPN, Sánchez said: “It was a very pleasant chat. First of all, I’m grateful to be considered. I’m one of the candidates. I don’t know if there are two, three, four - I don’t know how many there are. If I‘m chosen, I’ll be happy to contribute to the cause and try to make the team a success.

“I am enthusiastic, excited; I haven’t felt this way since I took over at Pumas and, obviously, the national team. I‘ve always been enthusiastic and excited about the national team, so much so that I put my hand up to be coach. And now I appreciate the interest that Cruz Azul’s board of directors have shown in me.”

Mohamed, Ferretti and Moreno also said to be in frame

Antonio Mohamed, Ricardo Ferretti and interim Cruz Azul coach Joaquín Moreno have also been tipped to take the helm at the Mexico City club, who sit second bottom of the Clausura 2023 regular-season standings.

Sánchez out to make coaching return after decade away

Sánchez, 64, led Pumas to back-to-back Liga MX titles in 2004, but hasn’t coached since a short spell in charge of Pachuca in 2012. The former Mexico striker, who scored 29 times in 58 caps for El Tri, has also had two stints as national coach - one as caretaker in 2000, and one as full-time boss from 2006 to 2008.

Last week, Sánchez threw his hat into the ring to replace Gerardo Martino as Mexico head coach, writing in a column for the Mexican publication ESTO that the job was “made for me”. However, the Mexican Football Federation has since appointed Diego Cocca to the role, making him the second straight Argentinian to lead the team.

Sánchez had urged the Federation to pick a homegrown coach, declaring: “I hope the directors don’t get things wrong again and appoint a foreign manager because they have to be Mexican.”