This Sunday, Javier Aguirre put an end to his third stage as coach of Mexico after the 3-2 defeat against England in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Visibly moved, the 67-year-old coach stated that “the dream ends here” and confirmed that he is leaving the position to make way for Rafael Márquez, whom he fully supported as the new head of El Tri.
The coach regretted not having achieved a victory in his farewell to the Azteca stadium and acknowledged that his team did not manage to play the perfect match that a rival of England’s caliber demanded. Aguirre pointed out that defensive errors were decisive for the elimination and highlighted the difference in effectiveness between both teams.
Despite the result, the strategist said he felt proud and satisfied with the work carried out during his management. He also dedicated words of gratitude to the 26 footballers who made up the World Cup squad, ensuring that they all contributed to making this last experience at the head of the national team special.
Aguirre also expressed his confidence in Rafael Márquez to lead the next stage of the Mexican team. He considered that his successor has the preparation and a solid base to continue the project, and offered him all his support to face the next challenges of Mexican soccer.
