Author: Gerry Maravilla
Hugo Sánchez needs to be fired. There is no time for second chances and it is pointless to try and stick it through with him. Ever since Sánchez has started coaching the men’s Mexican National Soccer Team there have been very few victories. There is no real excuse for his poor behavior and the team’s lackluster performance.
Sánchez began his career as one of Mexico’s best players. After a successful run in his home country’s league, he left for Europe and proved himself to be a valuable player of Spain’s Real Madrid before returning to play in both Mexico and the United States. For Mexico’s national team, Sanchez made 60 appearances and scored 29 goals, leading many to speculate that he was the best player in Mexico’s history. Sánchez retired from playing, but could not leave the game and started successfully coaching two of Mexico’s first division teams.
Following Mexico’s loss to Argentina in the 2006 World Cup, the FMF (Federacion Mexicano de Futbol) decided to replace Argentinean coach Ricardo Lavolpe and name Hugo Sánchez as head coach of his country’s national team.
When Sánchez took his position, he made some incredible and boastful promises to the people of Mexico. He claimed that while he was head coach, the team would win the 2007 Gold Cup, enter the semifinals in the 2007 Copa America, win a medal at Beijing Olympics and easily qualify for the 2010 World Cup. His first game as head coach resulted in a 2-1 loss to Mexico’s top rival: the United States. This game can be seen as a harbinger of the losses that the team suffered throughout the next two years. It showed that Sánchez was running his mouth and writing checks he couldn’t cash.
The 2007 Gold Cup proved to be a terrible loss for Mexico. The final against the United States showed the team playing at their worst and they failed to meet expectations as the tournament favorite. Veterans like Rafael Márquez and Pavel Pardo even commented to the press that the team’s relationship under Lavolpe was far superior. Luckily for Sánchez, young Mexican star Nery Castillo showcased his incredible talent to bring Mexico a 2-0 victory over Brazil in the first round of the Copa America. However, Mexico again could not overcome Argentina and make their way to the final round.
The 2008 Olympic CONCACAF qualifier was an opportunity for Sánchez to redeem himself, from not only the Gold Cup and Copa America, but also a humiliating defeat to Guatemala late last year. Tensions were high as the first round of qualification began and Mexico faced off against Canada. Following 90 minutes of play, neither team could break a 2-2 tie.
Mexico’s chance at Olympic glory was crushed on March 14 when they suffered another loss to the Guatemalan National Team. Despite the Mexico’s incredible 5-0 win over Haiti in the final round of qualifying, Mexico could not shake their poor performance in the first two rounds and were knocked out of the tournament.
What happened? Although the Olympics allow only a team of players that are under age 23, Mexico boasts some of the world’s top young talent. Youngster César Villaluz has impressed scouts in Europe and is a vital part of his club team, Cruz Azul. Andrés Guardado quickly made the jump from his home country to play in Spain as part of Club Deportivo Coruña’s starting line up. Twenty-two-year-old Guillermo Ochoa is one of the world’s top goalkeepers and was the first Mexican to be nominated for the Ballon D’or, soccer’s most prestigious award for individual players.
It has become clearer each game that Sánchez is the problem, not the players. His formations and strategies do not play to the strengths of the players or the team. When he is criticized, he responds with hostility and arrogance. He must reevaluate his coaching technique before he publicly makes promises to the press and people of Mexico.
It was not until Mexico failed to qualify for the Olympics that the FMF has considered taking action. At the end of the month, they will decide whether or not he will be given a second chance, or ultimately fired.
With World Cup Qualification starting in June, Mexico needs as coach who knows its players, it strengths, and will do what it takes to bring the team to the prestige it deserves. Hugo Sánchez has had his opportunity and has proven he is not the man for the job.
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