Mexico name national team legend Rafael Marquez as new manager

The Mexican Football Federation (FMF), with an eye on the 2030 World Cup, has announced Rafael "Rafa" Marquez as head coach of the national team on Wednesday.

Marquez, 47, had served since July 2024 as assistant coach under manager Javier Aguirre, who announced his resignation after Mexico's 3-2 loss to England on Sunday night in the round of 16 in Mexico City.

The path for succession already was in place for Marquez, a legendary player for El Tri who scored 17 goals in 147 games for his national team. He was captain of five World Cup teams (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018).

"The appointment of Rafael Marquez is part of an orderly transition designed to ensure continuity ... strengthen development, and tackle upcoming commitments," the FMF stated.

Aguirre's contract ran through the end of this month, according to Transfermarkt.com. Aguirre, 67, who was in his third stint after guiding El Tri to the round of 16 in 2002 and 2010, is a native of Mexico City who played midfielder for the national team at the 1986 home World Cup -- when Mexico last reached the quarterfinals -- before continuing in the sport as an accomplished coach.

Expectations were high as Mexico co-hosted this World Cup with the United States and Canada. Mexico won Group A with a 3-0-0 record (9 points) and a six-goal differential. They posted three shutouts in the group stage, beating South Africa (2-0), South Korea (1-0) and the Czech Republic (3-0) before blanking Ecuador 2-0 in the round of 32 on June 30.

The FMF, in its statement, expressed "its deepest appreciation and gratitude to Javier Aguirre and his entire coaching staff for the commitment, leadership and professionalism with which they led the Mexican national team during this period, leaving a lasting legacy of hard work, identity and competitiveness that strengthens the foundations for the national team's next phase."

Marquez doesn't have that kind of coaching experience, coaching youth teams in Spain before success managing Barcelona's B team (40-21-21) and then joining Aguirre's staff.

Playing center back and midfielder, though, Marquez was a star, winning four La Liga crowns and two Champions League titles with Barcelona.