Mexico name national team legend Rafael Marquez as new coach
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Javier Aguirre (right) has been replaced as Mexico coach by his assistant Javier Aguirre on July 8.
PHOTO: AFP
MEXICO CITY – The Mexican Football Federation (FMF), with an eye on the 2030 World Cup, announced Rafael Marquez as head coach of the national team on July 8.
Marquez, 47, had served since July 2024 as assistant coach to Javier Aguirre, who announced his resignation after Mexico’s 3-2 loss to England on July 5 in the round of 16 in Mexico City.
The path for succession was already in place for El Tri legend Marquez, who scored 17 goals in 147 games for his national team. He was captain of five World Cup teams (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018).
“The appointment of Rafael Marquez is part of an orderly transition designed to ensure continuity... strengthen development and tackle upcoming commitments,” the FMF stated.
Aguirre’s contract ran through the end of July, according to Transfermarkt.com. Aguirre, 67, who was in his third stint after guiding El Tri to the round of 16 in 2002 and 2010, is a native of Mexico City who played as a midfielder for the national team at the 1986 home World Cup – when Mexico last reached the quarter-finals – before continuing in the sport as an accomplished coach.
Expectations were high as Mexico co-hosted this World Cup with the United States and Canada. Mexico won Group A with a perfect nine points and no goals conceded, before beating Ecuador 2-0 in the round of 32 on June 30.
The FMF, in its statement, expressed “its deepest appreciation and gratitude to Javier Aguirre and his entire coaching staff for the commitment, leadership and professionalism with which they led the Mexican national team during this period, leaving a lasting legacy of hard work, identity and competitiveness that strengthens the foundations for the national team’s next phase”.
Marquez does not have that kind of coaching experience, helming youth teams in Spain before a promising stint coaching Barcelona’s B team and then joining Aguirre’s staff.
A classy centre-back or midfielder, Marquez won four La Liga crowns and two Champions League titles with Barcelona.
Change is also afoot for the Portugal team, with Jorge Jesus set to replace Spaniard Roberto Martinez as coach, according to Portuguese outlet A Bola.
The 52-year-old Martinez stepped down following Portugal’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup round of 16.
A Bola reported a meeting was set between Jesus, 71, and Pedro Proenca, president of the Portuguese Football Federation.
Jesus most recently helmed Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr to the league title last season with a squad that featured Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese also had successful stints with Al-Hilal, Benfica and Flamengo.
Meanwhile, FIFA has launched a probe into alleged racist insults directed at the streamer known as IShowSpeed at the World Cup round-of-32 clash between Argentina and Cape Verde.
The global football body said in a post on July 7 on X that it was “made aware of an incident involving a supporter and #IShowSpeed at Miami Stadium during the Argentina vs Cabo Verde match on 3 July 2026 and immediately initiated an investigation”. REUTERS, AFP
