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Liga MX coaching carousel continues to spin

By Thomas Buckley

Is it possible that Robert Siboldi could succeed Miguel Herrera who in turn succeeds Siboldi at Cruz Azul? (Photo by Saul Gonzalez/Getty Images)
Is it possible that Robert Siboldi could succeed Miguel Herrera who in turn succeeds Siboldi at Cruz Azul? (Photo by Saul Gonzalez/Getty Images) /
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Liga MX coaches
Miguel Herrera was a constant thorn in the side of Liga MX referees. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /

Winningest Liga MX club looking for new leader

Across town, América is interviewing coaches after Miguel Herrera tested ownership’s patience one too many times. The loss to LAFC in the Concacaf Champions League semifinals was bad enough, but the fact that “El Piojo” got himself ejected for a halftime scuffle with an opposing coach was the last straw.

Robert Siboldi (yes, the same Siboldi who indignantly resigned hours after the new Cruz Azul team president publicly criticized his tactical prowess) impressed in his first interview with club officials. His overall coaching résumé is quite good – Liga MX title with Santos (Apertura 2018) and a 59% points record while in charge of the Cementeros.

Also on the América short list are former Rayados manager Antonio Mohamed and Guillermo Vázquez. Mohamed has won three Liga MX titles as head coach, including the Apertura 2014 with América. The other two Liga MX triumphs were with Tijuana (Apertura 2012) and with Monterrey (over América in the Apertura 2019.

For his part, “Memo” Vázquez guided the Pumas to the Clausura 2011 championship, so both fall-back choices have had success in Liga MX.

The question is, who is making this big decision for América? GM Santiago Baños could be a victim of a comprehensive makeover of the Aguilas front office. One publication suggested former Aguilas captain Pável Pardo is a possible target for the GM slot even though the former standout has never served as team executive.

The firing of “El Piojo” Herrera was not a complete surprise. Despite his success with América (two Liga MX titles), Herrera was a constant headache, making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

A year ago, “El Piojo” was fined and suspended after criticizing a referee with a homophobic slur. He flipped off fans in Monterrey, led all coaches in yellow cards during the Clausura 2020 and then horrified the front office last month by telling reporters that he would gladly bring back Renato Ibarra, a winger who was shipped out to Atlas over the summer after a rather ugly domestic abuse incident.

Before the Guardianes 2020 season, Herrera had expressed delight at his new 4-year contract extension. “I want to reach the 10-year mark with the club, to be like “Tuca” (Ferretti) with the Tigres, like (Alex) Ferguson at Manchester United,” Herrera declared. “El Piojo” fell short of the 10-year mark, but he led the Aguilas to four trophies (Clausura 2013 and Apertura 2018 Liga MX titles; Clausura 2019 Copa MX and the 2019 Mexican Champions Cup).

The Aguilas start preparing for the Clausura 2021 on Monday, Dec. 28, so they are up against it. The latest reports indicated they had begun talks with Siboldi but negotiations have been complicated by a couple South American clubs who voiced interest in bringing the Uruguayan closer to home.

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