Interim manager Jaime Lozano hails El Tri following coaching debut
- Lozano oversaw a 4-0 win over Honduras in his first game in charge of Mexico
- Luis Romo (2), Orbelin Pineda and Luis Chavez on the scoresheet
Mexico kicked off their 2023 Gold Cup campaign with a 4-0 triumph over Honduras, as goals from Luis Romo, Luis Chavez and Orbelin Pineda secured interim manager Jaime Lozano’s first win.
El Tri has endured a difficult couple of weeks, after the 3-0 loss to the United States in the Nations League semi final set off internal chaos that culminated with the departure of former head coach Diego Cocca on June 19. Just three days later, Lozano joined the team to prepare for the Gold Cup.
"In three days you can do very little, they are great players. What was discussed before the game is a new beginning, a sports revenge for everyone. It's now a great stage and today was full of goals in our favor. What we want to do is generate goal options. We had little time to prepare but it is a first step," Lozano said in an interview with TUDN.
But Lozano is no stranger to the group of players currently representing El Tri, previously leading most to the bronze medal at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic games. Given their previous experience, he emphasized the team just needed to have a leader that understands Mexican athletes on a personal level to achieve collective success on and off the field.
"It is a cultural issue, I experienced it at the Olympic Games, we are Mexicans and it is an advantage to know each other, to know what we like before creating a game plan that everyone can develop perfectly. The players need confidence in the coaching staff, and to feel identified with the idea of the game," he said.
Mexico 4-0 Honduras:
— Lizzy Becherano (@lizzy_becherano) June 26, 2023
Today’s result shows progress on behalf of the players and organization. I’m hopeful about what this side can do under Jaime Lozano, given the fluidity between positions, intensity and creativity shown.
Now, onto the next game.
"I don't know if El Tri's head coach has to be Mexican, but I have just received the greatest show of affection from the people, who are very happy and proud."
Edson Alvarez later echoed the coach’s sentiments, adding he feels more represented with a Mexican coach at the helm of El Tri.
"The fact that a Mexican directs you makes you feel more represented, more comfortable, but in any case we had to perform. I'm not going to interfere in the decisions made by the people at the top, but Jimmy's arrival makes us very happy. As far as I can remember, I had never had a Mexican coach in the senior team and that sets the mood alight, everything has changed a lot."
The Mexican national team will now shift attention to Thursday’s match against Haiti at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona.
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