Mexican Football Federation president Juan Carlos Rodriguez explained his decision to part ways with head coach Diego Cocca following a disappointing Nations League campaign, insisting games can be lost but “what cannot be accepted is the way in which it happened.”
El Tri fell 3-0 to the United States men’s national team in the dramatic semi final match on June 15, as goals from Christian Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi propelled the Stars and Stripes to the trophy. Frustrations grew after each goal, resulting in physical altercations between both teams and the expulsions of Weston McKennie, Sergino Dest, Gerardo Arteaga and Cesar Montes.
Internal chaos then ensued for the Mexican national team following the final whistle, with players threatening to abandon camp ahead of the Gold Cup. Though El Tri went on to defeat Panama 1-0 in the match for third place, the overall performance was unsatisfactory for Rodriguez.
“In the last week, I have found many deficiencies. A game against the United States can be lost, there’s always that risk because this is football and the win can go one way or the other. What cannot be accepted was the way in which it happened,” Rodriguez said in a video on Monday.
“This phase has been flawed by the disorder in decision-making, by the lack of processes, rigor, and transparency in appointments, and by a perfect storm in the bad habits that we’ve been dragging for so many years.
“The natural thing to do would be to wait for the end of the Gold Cup, but today we don’t have time to waste. So I inform you that I’ve made the decision to terminate the contract of Diego Martin Cocca and the members of his coaching staff.”
Jaime Lozano will now take over as interim manager as El Tri prepares to kick off their Gold Cup campaign on June 25. He previously led Mexico to the Bronze medal in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, becoming familiar with the current group of players.
El Tri kicks off the upcoming tournament against Honduras before facing Haiti and Qatar in Group B.
