Anyone Want to Step Up?

March 20th, 2008 | by: Andrea | View Comments

It’s been a few days since the Mexico U-23 crashed out of Olympic qualifying and Hugol’s fate is constantly being talked about. His fate is not to be decided until March 31st when the directors of the Mexican clubs sit and discuss what to do with him. His contract is until 2010 but already many names have been listed as possible(immediate) replacements.

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.