MEXICO.- The former defender Rafael Marquez will take over as technical director of the national team Mexico once the end of World Cup 2026announced on Monday the director of national teams of the Federation of that country, Duilio Davinoto Fox Sports.
The “Kaiser”, former player of the Barcelona and the Monacoamong others, and who played in five World Cups with El Tri (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018), is currently a technical assistant for the team since Javier Aguirre He took command in August 2024 until the World Cup in North America, which begins on June 11.
“His contract is signed,” said Davino in an interview with the former Chilean soccer player. Fabian Estay. Márquez’s goal will be to take the Mexican team to the 2030 World Cup.
The leader announced that the coaching staff of the next coach is “80 percent” defined.
Davino stressed that Márquez, 47 years old, retains the leadership he showed since his time as a soccer player, which began in 1996 and ended in 2018.
“Today as an assistant and as a coach is what he was as a player, he transforms in the locker room,” said Davino.
Márquez has a record of 147 matches as a national team, and is the fourth player with the most appearances for Mexico.
As a defender, Márquez was an emblematic footballer with selectors like the Mexicans Manuel LapuenteAguirre himself and Miguel Herreraas well as the Argentine Ricardo Lavolpe and the Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio.
DT prepared in Spain
After his retirement from the fields, the former defender became sports director of the Atlas of Guadalajarathe club with which he debuted in professional football.
His coaching career began at youth level in Spain with the Real Sociedad Deportiva Alcalábetween 2020 and 2021.
Subsequently, from 2022 to 2024, he was the technical director of the Barcelona Athleticsubsidiary team of FC Barcelona.
The once emblematic Mexican captain took his coaching course at the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
In 2022, the former player of the Hellas Verona obtained the license as technical director UEFA Pro.
“El Vasco” Aguirre has pointed out that in the current Mexican team “the figure of Rafa Márquez is very important. He has prepared himself on and off the field.”
Aguirre stressed that Márquez exercises leadership “by conviction” and considered that his suggestions have been very useful to improve Tri’s defensive performance.
As Aguirre’s field assistant, Márquez participated in the conquest of two titles in 2025: The Concacaf Nations League and the Gold Cup.
