The Mexico national soccer team is reportedly set to hire Diego Cocca as their head coach. ESPN and TUDN sources have claimed that the current Tigres coach will transition to the national team soon. Cocca is being chosen from a long list of candidates for the important job.
Guillermo Almada of Pachuca, Ignacio Ambriz of Toluca and free agents Miguel Herrera, Antonio Mohamed and Marcelo Bielsa were reported targets for El Tri. However, it seems that Cocca is the man from Mexico.
Diego Cocca newly hired in Tigres de México
The Argentine coach has just arrived in Monterrey to lead Tigres UANL. In fact, Cocca has managed just five games for Tigres since he was hired before the start of this season. The club is currently undefeated under the manager, winning all five Liga MX Clausura games thus far. Next Saturday they will face Pumas.
Spanish outlet AS claims that Cocca will remain with Tigres to complete the current Clausura campaign. However, TUDN has reported that the coach has already left the club and will join the team with immediate effect.
El Tri needs to recover fast
Mexico needed a new head coach. The national team did not extend Tata Martino after a disappointing 2022 World Cup. With Martino at the helm, the Mexicans failed to get past the group stage. A draw against Poland and loss to eventual winners Argentina essentially put the team behind the eight ball ahead of a showdown with Saudi Arabia.
Cocca’s first games in charge will be two CONCACAF Nations League games next month. Mexico travels to face Suriname on March 23 and then host Jamaica three days later.
It looks like it’s going to be a busy near future for El Tri. Mexico, along with the United States and Canada, will host the 2026 World Cup. Additionally, the trio will host the 2025 Gold Cup, which will reportedly feature European powerhouses. Mexico could also feature in the 2024 Copa América. However, Cocca’s first tournament as head coach will be the 2023 Gold Cup this summer.
PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire
