Javier Aguirre's tenure as head coach of the Mexican national team came to an end following a 3-2 loss to England and elimination in the Round of 16 of the World Cup.

The 67-year-old announced after the game that he was resigning, bringing his third stint as national team coach to an end. He had led Mexico to the Round of 16 in the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, and was hired in July 2024 with the goal of leading the team to success at the 2026 World Cup, which was co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

His successor is expected to be his former assistant and Mexican soccer legend, Rafa Márquez. The 47-year-old former star defender scored 17 goals in 147 appearances for the Mexican national team and captained the squad in five World Cups (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018).

He had held an administrative position with the Mexican Football Federation before turning to coaching in Spain and was on the bench for Barcelona’s reserve team when he accepted the offer to join Aguirre’s coaching staff on the national team.

*photo source: AP