Mexico appoint new head coach
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineMexico have appointed former captain and Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez as head coach following Javier Aguirre’s departure after the country’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
The Mexican Football Federation announced the appointment on Wednesday after Mexico’s 3-2 defeat to England in the Round of 16.
\Marquez succeeds Aguirre as part of a long-term transition plan introduced in 2024, when he joined the senior national team as assistant coach after leaving Barcelona Atlètic.
The federation said the 47-year-old would continue the project started under Aguirre and lead the national team through to the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Marquez earned 148 international caps during his playing career, won the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup and captained Mexico at five consecutive FIFA World Cups between 2002 and 2018.
Before joining the senior national team, he spent two seasons as coach of Barcelona’s reserve side, where he helped develop several young players.
Aguirre stepped down after Mexico’s narrow defeat to England, bringing an end to a spell in which he guided the team to the 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League and the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup titles.
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Marquez is expected to make his debut as Mexico’s head coach during the September international window.
His first major tournament in charge will be the 2027 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where Mexico will attempt to defend their continental title.
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