Javier Aguirre will be head coach of the Mexican National Team for the third time in his career, facing the 2026 World Cup that will take place in Mexico, the United States and Canada, once again, accompanied by Rafael Márquez, who will be his assistant. This was reported by the Mexican Soccer Federation on a press release and all-over social media.
The “Vasco” led Mexico in the 2002 Korea-Japan and 2010 South Africa World Cups, both being eliminated in the round of 16 at the hands of the United States and Argentina, respectively. And also, both time coming as a known “firefighter” as he takes the head coaching role every time the team is in trouble.
Aguirre, who is 65 years old, began his career as a coach with Atlante in 1996, then moved to Pachuca, in addition to having had a stint with Monterrey in 2021. With national teams, he has a Gold Cup with Mexico, which beat the United States in the 2009 edition.
Rafael Marquez will bring an interesting take to “El Tri”
Rafa Márquez had to resign from his position as coach of Barça B in order to return to the Mexican National Team. Both have the challenge that there will be no qualifying round, heading towards the World Cup, and they will have to work with the friendly matches and the Concacaf Nations League to try and put Mexico up to the level they once had.
According to the Mexican Soccer Federation, the official presentation of both coaches will be on August 1, the date on which more details of the project will be announced. “El Kaiser” and Aguirre are going to stay and live in Spain despite being an assistant and coach of the Mexican Soccer Team, according to reports.
Mexico comes of one of their most disappointing performances in a Cop America, as they eliminated in the first round after dropping a key game versus Venezuela after beating Jamaica and tying against Ecuador in the group stage.