The FMF made things official as they announced Javier Aguirre as the new national team manager, taking over from Jaime Lozano following a group stage exit at the 2024 Copa America.
"With the objective of having the best national team for the 2026 World Cup, at the same time consolidating our project toward 2030, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) announce Javier Aguirre as the head coach of the Mexican National Team," the FMF's statement read.
Gearing up for the 2026 and 2030 project 🇲🇽🏆 pic.twitter.com/E2JvWoeSHB
— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) July 22, 2024
In addition, the federation also announced that Rafael Marquez will be Aguirre's assistance coach. It is expected, once Aguirre finishes his tenure after the 2026 World Cup, Marquez will take over and lead the national team to 2030.
" is without a doubt the Mexican coach with the longest and most recognized career abroad and he also has in-depth knowledge of the processes in national teams," said Duilio Davino, director of national teams. "'Rafa' is one of the most important players in Mexican history with a great national and international career who began his coaching career with an emblematic team.
"We have offered him to be the assistant until 2026 so that he can contribute his knowledge and then assume the leadership."
📋⚽️ Javier Aguirre’s expertise as Head Coach and Rafael Márquez’s experience as his Assistant Coach come together for the 2030 project. 🇲🇽
— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) July 22, 2024
Proven leadership to shape our best form for the 2026 World Cup and set our sights on the 2030 World Cup. 🔝 pic.twitter.com/tlOcLqVNsN
This will be Aguirre's third stint with the Mexican National Team. He was at the helm for the 2002 World Cup in Tokyo/Japan as well as for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Both times, Mexico were knocked out in the round of 16.
Aguirre takes over from Lozano who himself took over from Diego Cocca.
It hasn't been smooth sailing for Mexico; far from it. The 2022 World Cup proved to be a huge disappointment, failing to qualify out of the group stage for the first time since 1990 when they were banned from the tournament.
In hiring Aguirre, Mexico is betting on a familiar face to bring some stability. Aguirre has spent the last couple of years managing in Spain at Mallorca. Eight years went by from his first stint to his second and this time around, it will have been nearly 14 years.
However, prior to managing in Spain, he did a stint with Monterrey so he should be familiar with the Mexico players.
Rafael Marquez will also bring some European experience, having managed Barcelona's B team the last couple of seasons, taking them all the way to the final only a few months ago.
Time is not on their side as the FMF's hope is that their situation isn't as dire as it appears. It will be interesting to see what players Aguirre calls up as one of the main criticisms of Lozano was his use of players who have time and again put in disappointing performances with the national team.
We won't have to wait too long to see Aguirre managing Mexico as they have two upcoming friendlies in September. Mexico is set to play on Sept. 7 and Sept. 10 against New Zealand and Canada, respectively.