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Rafael Márquez takes the reins of the Mexican national team. The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) announced on Wednesday that the former Barcelona star would succeed Javier Aguirre as head coach until the 2030 World Cup.
Márquez, 47, was Aguirre’s assistant from August 2024 until Mexico’s recent 3-2 round of 16 loss to England. While a succession plan had been in place since 2024, rumors swirled that the FMF might look elsewhere.
“The appointment of Rafael Márquez is part of an orderly transition designed to ensure continuity… strengthen development and address upcoming commitments,” the FMF said.
Although El Tri has no matches immediately scheduled, Márquez is expected to make his coaching debut during the FIFA international window in late September and early October.
“I am satisfied with the growth shown by Rafa,” Aguirre said of his successor. “I spoke with Rafa because we are both prominent figures in Mexican football – I knew him as a player and teammate – and he is more than qualified.”
The FMF also expressed its gratitude to Aguirre. While Mexico’s campaign ended in the round of 16 – the stage at which they have been eliminated in eight of the last nine World Cups – the team showed marked improvement after failing to advance past the group stage at Qatar 2022.
“He leaves behind a strong legacy of work, identity and competitiveness that strengthens the foundation for the national team’s next chapter,” FMF said of Aguirre, who just completed his third World Cup cycle as Mexico coach.
Márquez comes into this role with one of the most decorated CVs in Mexican football history. As a player, he participated in five World Cups, won the Confederations Cup in 1999 and won the Gold Cup 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 started and finished his career with Atlas and won back-to-back Liga MX titles with León.
Márquez became a coach in the youth ranks of Real Alcalá before successfully managing Barça Atlètic, Barcelona’s reserve team, where he managed 82 matches over two seasons, recording 40 wins, 21 draws and 21 defeats.
Associated Press reporting.
