MEXICO CITY (AP) 鈥� is taking the reins of the . The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) announced Wednesday that the former Barcelona star will succeed Javier Aguirre as head coach leading up to the .
M谩rquez, 47, served as Aguirre鈥檚 assistant from August 2024 until Mexico鈥檚 recent 3鈥�2 . While a succession plan had been in place since 2024, rumors had circulated that the FMF might look elsewhere.
鈥淭he appointment of Rafael M谩rquez is part of an orderly transition designed to ensure continuity 鈥� strengthen development, and tackle upcoming commitments,鈥� the FMF stated.
While El Tri has no immediate fixtures scheduled, M谩rquez is expected to make his managerial debut during the FIFA international window in late September and early October.
鈥淚 am happy with the growth shown by Rafa,鈥� Aguirre said of his successor. 鈥淚 spoke with Rafa because we are both prominent figures in Mexican soccer 鈥� I knew him as a player and a teammate 鈥� and he is more than qualified.鈥�
The FMF also expressed its gratitude to Aguirre. While Mexico鈥檚 campaign ended in the Round of 16 鈥� the stage where they have been eliminated in eight of the last nine World Cups 鈥� the team showed marked improvement after failing to advance past the group stage at Qatar 2022.
鈥淗e leaves behind a solid legacy of hard work, identity, and competitiveness that strengthens the foundation for the national team鈥檚 next chapter,鈥� the FMF stated regarding Aguirre, who just concluded his third World Cup cycle as Mexico鈥檚 manager.
M谩rquez steps into the role with one of the most decorated resumes in Mexican football history. As a player, he featured in five World Cups, won the 1999 Confederations Cup, and claimed Gold Cup titles in 2003 and 2011.
In Europe, he played for Monaco before a legendary stint at Barcelona, where he won two Champions League trophies and four La Liga titles. Domestically, he began and ended his career with Atlas and won back-to-back Liga MX titles with Le贸n.
M谩rquez transitioned to coaching in Real Alcal谩鈥檚 youth ranks before successfully managing Bar莽a Atl猫tic, Barcelona鈥檚 reserve team, where he was in charge for 82 matches over two seasons, recording 40 wins, 21 draws, and 21 losses.
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