Jaime Lozano will continue as the coach of the Mexico national team after leading them to victory in the CONCACAF Gold Cup last month. Lozano, who had been serving as interim coach, has had the interim tag removed by the Mexican Federation. Despite his contract expiring after the Tokyo Olympics, where he guided Mexico to a bronze medal, Lozano has been given the opportunity to continue leading the team.
The decision to retain Lozano as coach reflects the Mexican Federation’s desire to trust a Mexican coach and recognize the talent within the country. Ivar Sisniega, the executive president of the Mexican Federation, stated, “It’s time to recognize that there are great coaches in Mexico who are prepared and deserve the chance to lead our team.” Sisniega also emphasized the importance of choosing a coach who understands Mexican football deeply and can connect with the players.
Lozano took over as coach just four days before the start of the Gold Cup, replacing Argentine Diego Cocca. Cocca had been appointed after Mexico’s disappointing performance in the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup, where they were eliminated in the first round, marking their worst World Cup performance since 1978. However, Cocca was fired three days after losing to the United States in the Nations League semifinals.
Lozano’s familiarity with many of the players on the Gold Cup roster, as they had previously played for him in the Olympics, contributed to Mexico’s success in the tournament. Additionally, Mexico has an automatic berth for the 2026 World Cup as co-hosts with the United States and Canada.
Expressing his excitement and readiness for the challenge, Lozano said, “This is one of the biggest challenges of my professional career.” The decision to retain Lozano as coach signifies a commitment to Mexican talent and a belief in his ability to lead the team.
Note: This article has been rewritten for clarity and conciseness.
