Even with all the hype surrounding the CONCACAF Cup that is set to be played on October 10th, Mexico is looking forward to the future, regardless of the result on Saturday.
The news that Mexico has found their new manager that is set to replace Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti, who is acting as caretaker manager up until the CONCACAF Cup match, and that man to take them forward is Colombian boss Juan Carlos Osorio.
His name might be familiar to Major League Soccer fans as he was once head coach of the Chicago Fire in 2007 and of the New York Red Bulls from 2007-2009. His resume includes being boss of Mexican side Puebla, Colombia’s Millonarios, Once Caldas, and Atlético Nacional, and most recently as the manager of Brazil’s São Paulo.
He created some controversy in leaving São Paulo as he was quoted that he “has dreams of managing a international side capable of reaching the World Cup” and that he “didn’t trust” the board of directors at the Brazilian side leading to his departure from the club. Even before his departure most of the board of directors ended up quitting putting pressure on the president to deal with the angry fanbase.
As is customary with a new manager, the Mexican media and fans are skeptical of Osorio’s signing. First of all, pundits and fans alike are questioning this decision as Osorio has no prior international club experience. This has caused some concern with the fans, who’s general consensus of Osorio has been that he is not long for this job and that he won’t make it to Russia 2018. Another argument that is put forth against Osorio is that Mexico deserves better than a man who has gone through seven teams in the last nine years.
Third is the fact that Mexican journalist, Rodolfo Landeiros of Univision, brought up the point to globoesporte.com of Brazil that Osorio was “Mexico’s fourth or fifth choice.” The FMF (Mexico’s football federation) extended offers to Jürgen Klopp, Marcelo Bielsa, Jorge Sampaoli, and Carlo Ancelotti and all turned down the job offer. So the offer went to Osorio and he accepted the job and is now Mexico’s new manager.
Mexico aimed for the moon asking big names that have managed Real Madrid, Marseille, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, etc. to now manage Mexico. Although Mexico is a big name in CONCACAF, let’s face it, they are no Brazil, Spain, or Argentina and it was silly of Mexico to go for big names to manage the national team.
Or was it? Does Mexico deserve more respect in that they do deserve a manager the likes of an Ancelotti? A Bielsa? Because Mexico’s manager record has mainly managers who’s highest caliber of coaching has been in Latin American club teams or other similar caliber international squads save for Sven-Göran Eriksson and, to a lesser extent, Javier Aguirre.
So are Mexican fans right in criticizing the new boss saying that he is not fit for Mexico? We will have to see as the game of football can surprise people and Mexico is hoping that Osorio can surprise them going forward.
