By Lizzy Becherano
FMF executive director Rodrigo Ares de Parga has announced Diego Cocca as the new head coach of the Mexican National.
Tigres president Miguel Culebro revealed his appointment on Thursday, after confirming Cocca’s departure from the Liga MX team to seize the opportunity to lead El Tri.
He replaces Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, who left after his contract expired following Mexico’s rousing 2022 World Cup group stage exit in Qatar.
“We welcome Diego Cocca, who will be the new head coach of the Mexico national team. We needed a coach with excellent team management, knowledge of Mexican football and a defined style of play,” said Ares de Parga.
“We are convinced that this is a good decision. We will see Diego succeed. We are very happy. Diego is a hardworking man, with knowledge of Mexican football. He is a great coach and knows how to manage a group.”
Ares de Parga revealed that the Federacion Mexicana de Futbol interviewed five candidates for the coaching position, completing an extension process before reaching the final decision.
“The National Teams Committee interviewed five head coaching candidates, and three of them had the skills for the job. We always considered the five candidates, and earlier this week, the National Teams Committee had two meetings with Diego Cocca, who would we like to welcome on board,” said Ares de Parga.
“We did a thorough analysis with each candidate. We have seen strengths in Diego. He is an intelligent leader with values and team management. He is a proven professional with experience throughout his career. He has achieved success in Mexico and Argentina,” added director of the men’s national teams Jaime Ordiales.
“He is a demanding and committed coach. Diego Cocca works every day to be better and knows how to work with his skills. He really knows this football and the Mexican footballer.”
Cocca arrives with extensive experience in Liga MX, serving as head coach of Santos Laguna, Atlas and Tigres, for a short time. He famously led Atlas to back-to-back championship titles in 2021 to end a 70-year trophy drought.
“This is very important to me. Above all, because I am the coach of a country that has given me so much,” said Cocca. “Mexico saw me grow as a person, as a professional and welcomed me back as head coach. Being able to help their national team improve is a privilege and an opportunity I could not miss.”
Mexico will not participate in World Cup qualifiers this cycle, after co-hosting the 2026 tournament alongside Canada and the United States, forcing Cocca to deliver in Concacaf tournaments. Lui faces his first challenge for Mexico on 23 March, managing El Tri in a Nations League clash against Suriname.
This article was originally posted on 90min.com as FMF appoints Diego Cocca as the new head coach of the Mexico national team.
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