Great hope

Javier Aguirre is Mexico’s new national team coach

Javier Aguirre(Bild: AP/Alejandro Godinez)

Mexican soccer coach Javier Aguirre will lead his home country's national team at a World Cup for the third time after 2002 and 2010. The 65-year-old will take over from Jaime Lozano with a view to the 2026 tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada, as announced by the national team's sports director, Duilio Davino.

"He is undoubtedly the most experienced coach in Mexico, with a recognized career abroad and a thorough knowledge of the national team's processes," said Davino in a video message. Among other things, "El Vasco" was coach in Spain for many years. There he managed several first division clubs, including Osasuna, Atlético Madrid and most recently Mallorca. He was also national coach in Japan and Egypt.

Former national team captain Rafael Márquez (45) has been appointed assistant coach. The former FC Barcelona player will initially assist Aguirre and then take over as national coach himself after the World Cup until 2030, as Davino also announced. Until shortly before his appointment, Márquez coached Barça's second team.

Disappointment at the Copa
Lozano's departure had previously been announced following Mexico's disappointing performance at the Copa América. Mexico was eliminated in the group stage of the continental tournament, which ended with Argentina winning the title in mid-July.