Rafael Marquez(Barcelona)-Rafa didn’t play in Barca’s 2-2 draw against Real Betis. Despite the draw, Barca remains top of the table.

Guillermo Franco(Villarreal)-Franco came in during the 65th min during Villarreal’s 1-1 draw against Racing Santander only to injure himself 17 mins later. Rumors circling around are that these few months are the last he will be with Villarreal.

Andres Guardado(Deportivo)-Guardado is still out injured.

Omar Bravo(Deportivo)-Bravo made the bench for the game against Osasuna which ended 0-0 but did not see any playing time.

Hugo Sanchez(Almeria)-Hugo’s Almeria came down from 2-0 to win the game 3-2. Almeria are in 13th place.

England

Carlos Vela(Arsenal)-Carlos Vela showed a strong performance in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Cardiff city in the FA Cup. He started but eventually came off with 20 mins left. His assist gave Arsenal their first goal and provided the emotional return of Eduardo Da Silva.

Giovanni Dos Santos(Tottenham)-Tottenham did not play in the FA Cup fixtures this weekend.

Germany

Ricardo Osorio(Stuttgart)-Wasn’t called to play in the game against Hannover where the teams drew 3-3 on Saturday because he had returned to Germany on Friday.

Netherlands

Carlos Salcido(PSV)-Salcido played all 90 mins of the 2-2 game against AZ Alkaamar. His error led to the first AZ goal.

strong>Maza Rodriguez(PSV)-Maza came in at the 82nd and PSV now sit in 4th place with 42 points. His first touch in the game led to the equalizing goal.

Hector Moreno(AZ Alkaamar)-He’s still out injured, but his team remain leaders of the league with 57 points.

Turkey

Antonio De Nigris(Ankaragucu)-De Nigris played 85 mins in his team’s 3-1 win.

Ukraine

ery Castillo(Shaktar)- Nery was injured midweek play for the national team against the US.

Greece

Jaime Duran(Xanthi)-Xanthi lost 1-0.

Spain

Rafael Marquez(Barcelona</a-Marquez is currently out injured(injury sustained during the Copa Del Rey) and he is expected to be out until after the clash with the US for World Cup Qualifying. Barcelona won 4-1 against Numancia in the return fixture of La Liga and continue to easily command first place.

Guillermo Franco(Villarreal)- Franco remained on the bench as he saw his team draw 1-1 against Osasuna.

Andres Guardado(Deportivo La Coruna)-Guardado is still out and he will miss the qualifier against the US.

Omar Bravo(Deportivo La Coruna)- Bravo has failed to make much of a big impression on the Galician side and once again had no activity in the game against Real Madrid in where Deportivo lost 0-1.

Javier Aguirre(Atletico)- Aguirre’s Atletico drew 1-1 against Malaga.

Hugo Sanchez(Almeria)- Sanchez has continued his run in La Liga as a coach and this weekend he saw his team pull out a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.

England

Carlos Vela(Arsenal)-Carlos did not play in the 0-0 draw in the FA Cup against Cardiff.

Giovanni Dos Santos(Tottenham)-Gio has finally made the news for playing football. This weekend he played 45 mins against Manchester United in the FA Cup having one very good chance during his time on the pitch. Spurs lost and they are no longer in the FA Cup.

Germany

Ricardo Osorio(Stuttgart)-The Bundesliga is still in winter break.

Netherlands

Carlos Salcido(PSV)-Carlos Salcido was accused of using the media to get a transfer and this week he silenced his coach’s rants about him with a goal. PSV’s game ended in a 2-2 draw against NAC Breda.

Maza Rodriguez(PSV)-Maza did not participate in the 2-2 draw against NAC Breda.

Hector Moreno(AZ Alkaamar)- Moreno is still recuperrating from his injury.

Turkey

Antonio De Nigris(Ankaraspor)- The player did not play in his team’s 3-0 win and he has strongly indicated that he would like to move away.

Ukraine

Nery Castillo(Shaktar)- The Ukraine league is still on break but Nery played 56 mins in a friendly.

Greece

Jaime Duran(Xanthi)- Duran has no activity in his team’s 1-1 draw.

Spain

Rafael Marquez(Barcelona)- Marquez was an unused substitute in Barca’s 5-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna.

Guillermo Franco(Villarreal)-Franco played 25 mins in the yellow sub’s 2-0 win over Mallorca.

Andres Guardado(Deportivo La Coruna)-Guardado played 28 mins before Messi ruptured his knee ligament. He will be out for about a month in a half.

Omar Bravo(Deportivo La Coruna)- Bravo did not play in Depor’s 5-0 loss to Barcelona.

Javier Aguirre(Atletico de Madrid)-Aguirre was part of history as he led his side to a draw against Almeria against fellow Mexican coach Hugo Sanchez.

Hugo Sanchez(Almeria)-Hugo was the second half of history as the duo became the first pair of Mexicans to face each other off the bench. Hugol’s team drew 1-1 against Atletico.

England

Carlos Vela(Arsenal)- Vela stayed all 90 mins on the bench as Arsenal defeated Hull City 3-1.

Giovanni Dos Santos(Tottenham)-Gio had no activity in the Spur’s draw against Portsmouth(1-1)

Germany

Ricardo Osorio(Stuttgart)-Is still having a nice winter break until the Bundesliga resumes at the end of January.

Netherlands

Carlos Salcido(PSV)-Carlos Salcido had no action on the pitch as his team drew 1-1 against Roda JC Kerkrade.

Maza Rodriguez(PSV)- Maza did not play in PSV’s draw against Roda JC Kerkrade.

Hector Moreno(AZ Alkaamar)-Moreno is still out injured from a foot injury in December.

Ukraine

Nery Castillo(Shaktar)-It’s rumoured that Castillo played a friendly game for his new team. He played 67 mins and scored 1 goal.

Turkey

Antonio De Nigris(Ankaraspor)-The Turkish league has not yet resumed. De Nigris did however try to get a loan to Cruz Azul, but failed to do so because of the Gentlemen’s Agreement that exists between his old club Monterrey and the rest of the Mexican clubs.

Greece

Jaime Rodan(Skoda Xanthi FC)- Duran did not participate with his new club as they drew 1-1 against Larissa.

Spain

Rafael Marquez(Barcelona)-For the clash against Osasuna Marquez was left out because of suspension. Barca won the clash 3-2.

Guillermo Franco(Villarreal)-Franco did not feature in Villarreal’s 3-3 against Valencia.

AndresGuardado(Deportivo La Coruna)-Guardado played 75 mins before being replaced. Deportivo lost the game but Guardado provided the assist in their 1-3 loss.

Omar Bravo(Deportivo La Coruna)-Bravo has been getting more time and in the 1-3 loss against Sevilla he played 25 mins.

Javier Aguirre(Atletico De Madrid)- Atletico fell this week to Athletic Bilbao 2-3. The team currently resides in 5th place.

Hugo Sanchez(Almeria) - It’s crazy to think, but Hugo Sanchez went back to Spain…as a coach. His squad drew this week against Espanyol and sit in 15th place.

England

Carlos Vela(Arsenal)-Little Carlos seems to have a strong impact whenever he comes on by breathing a new life into the team and this weekend was no different. He played 26 mins and had a great shot on goal as the Gunners won 1-0 against Bolton.

Giovanni Dos Santos(Tottenham)-Spurs continues to tank and along with them Gio goes. They lost this weekend to Wigan and now sit in the 18th spot. A move for Gio looms on the horizon.

Nery Castillo (ManCity)-After completing the year long loan to Man City, Nery has returned to Shaktar who still holds his future in his hands.

Germany

Pavel Pardo(Stuttgart)
-Pardo will no longer feature in this section as he has moved back to Mexico to play with team America. He had a good run in Germany, winning the Bundesliga in his first season(06-07) and playing in the Champions League(07-08).

Ricardo Osorio(Stuttgart)-The Bundesliga is currently on break.

Aaron Galindo(Eintracht Frankfurt)-Like Pardo, Galindo decided to ply his trade somewhere else and returned to Mexico to join Chivas. Unlike Pardo, he did not win anything but he had started to secure a starting spot before making the move.

Netherlands

Carlos Salcido(PSV)-The Eredivisie has not yet resumed but there are strong rumors surrounding Salcido and his desire to leave the team because of problems with the coaches.

Maza Rodriguez(PSV)-Like his compadre, Maza also has expressed his wish to move on because his lack of playing time has cost him a place on the national team.

Hector Moreno(AZ Alkaamar)- The only one currently in the Netherlands who seems to be content where he is, Moreno is out for about 2 more months after suffering from an injury. AZ are currently on top of the table.

Turkey

Antonio De Nigris(Ankarasapor)-Did not have any activity.

Greece

Jaime Durán(Skoda Xanthi)-Duran moved to Greece from Morelia and will be there for the next 6 months. Good Luck.

In other news, Pavel Pardo is back with America. The switch from Stuttgart has been completed. In my opinion. Bad idea. And I’m not saying that just because I hate America. At the time when we’re supposed to be exporting players this is a set back. Shame on you America. And as much as it shames my heart to say this, shame on you Chivas for going after Galindo.

After much speculation it is finally over and Mr. Sanchez is out of a job. 16 months in power and Hugo failed to do much of what he promised with a great bunch of players. He promised us titles(we have none), and an Olympic medal and now we only have to focus on qualifying for WC 2010.

The decision was made unanimously by all first division club owners. As to further reasoning to why he was fired the FMF president, Justin Compean, said:

“We want winners and leaders, we cannot accept another failure,” said Justin Compean, president of the Mexican federation.

If you thought this was difficult, can you imagine Mexico not being in South Africa?”

He has a point. Mexico not qualifying for WC 2010 would be comparable to England not being at this years Euro’s. Mexican fans are known to follow the team wherever they go and not qualifying would be a devastating loss not just economically but mentally.

But for now we have Jesus Ramirez, who was named as a possible replacement in earlier weeks, as an interim manager. Maybe he can guide the same more mature players he led to a U-17 World Cup to victory once again.

Pro

• Oswaldo and Torrado both voiced their support for Hugo after being called up to the national team for the game against Ghana.
• Cesar Villaluz said that Mexico’s poor results were the players fault and not Sanchez.
• Chivas players Patricio Araujo and Sergio Avila have both also shared their support for Sanchez (thanks to Andrea for the update).

Con

• The press, many Mexican journals published articles asking for Sanchez’ head on a silver platter.
• Moises Muñoz has spoken up and criticized Sanchez, even after being called up for the game against Ghana.
• Jorge Vergara, owner of Chivas, has also asked for the removal of Sanchez as head coach.

Again, the official decision will be made by the FMF at the end of the month, but with the friendly against Ghana coming up be on the look out for more people to voice their opinions.

Castillo suffered an injury playing with Santos in their week 11 game against Pumas and will not be flying out to London to play against Ghana. No replacement has been named yet, but I will post up the new replacement as soon as it is available.

There’s been a lot of talk recently about Mexico’s upcoming friendly against Ghana, most of it having to do with coach Hugo Sanchez’ fate after the game, since the FMF will be reviewing his contract at the end of the month.

Club America’s coach Ruben Omar Romaro, has said that although he doesn’t personaly recommend ex national team coach Ricardo La Volpe, he is definitely a consideration, should the FMF decide that Sanchez should no longer coach the national team.

Some of the names brought up as possible successors are well known in the futbol world.

Guus Hiddinks- He helped the South Korean national team to a 4th place finish in the 2002 World Cup. The senior Mexican team has never achieved a position so high and this would definitely give the whole nation a boost of confidence. His current contract with the Russian National Team is not up until June later this year but he has not negotiated any extensions. Plus, the language barrier wouldn’t be a problem…he speaks Spanish.

Jose Mourinho-Yes, the Special One is mentioned as a possible replacement. He’s currently out of a job and Mexico may soon not have a coach. Outspoken and a pusher he seems like a perfect choice to lead El Tri. We have quality players and a top manager would surely help. He’s yet to manage a national team but based on his previous experience it doesn’t seem like he’d have much of a problem.

Marcelo Lippi-He’s got plenty of titles and a World Cup to his name. He has plenty of experience and his guidance would certainly help. Currently he’s not managing so there’s no problem there.

Luiz Felipe Scolari- Another World Cup winner and another experienced manager. Scolari withdrew from signing with the English NT and his contract is up after Portugal’s participation in Euro 2008 and he’s not extending it. He has a way of keeping “pressure” from getting to his players and that would definitely be an advantage in future games/qualifiers where the Mexican players claim that they are too “pressured.”

Others being mentioned constantly are:
Vicente del Bosque- He was offered the job in the summer of 2006 and again it was speculated he’s join El Tri. He’s however, taking over for Aragones after Euro ‘08.
Ricardo “Tuca” Ferreti-He’s already said no…
Jesus Ramirez-He’s already won a major trophy with the U-17(aka the “Golden Generation”) maybe he can do it again on the major global stage.

I’d also like to throw in Javier Aguirre…he’s not doing to bad with Atletico Madrid in Spain…he should get another chance with El Tri.