Mexico coach Gerardo Martino takes on the historic failure of the national team in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup and announces his departure. His contract should actually be extended.
Mexico’s national soccer coach Gerardo Martino has announced his departure after losing the preliminary round at the World Cup. “My contract expired at the final whistle. Nothing more needs to be done.”said the 60-year-old on Wednesday evening (November 30, 2022) in the Lusail Stadium after the 1-2 (0-0) win against Saudi Arabia, which meant Mexico’s first preliminary round knockout since the 1978 World Cup. “I am the main person responsible for this frustration and disappointment. It makes me very sad.”said Martino.
Martino takes World Cup on his cap
Mexico had failed at the World Cup in Qatar after seven rounds of 16 in a row in the preliminary round. “I take all responsibility for this failure. Something like this hasn’t happened in a long time”said Martino. Mexican media reported that the association actually wanted to extend the contract with its national coach until the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, but Martino refused.
Argentinian Martino took over the national team of the Latin American country in 2019. His greatest success was winning the Gold Cup in 2019. The 60-year-old has been under criticism in Mexico for a few months.