Mexican Coaches Shine Abroad While Overlooked at Home

Javier Aguirre, Miguel Herrera, and Luis Fernando Tena have all led their teams to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Gold Cup, yet their success abroad underscores a troubling reality: in Liga MX, opportunities for Mexican coaches are dwindling. As ESPN reported, only three out of 18 clubs in Mexico’s top flight will begin the upcoming season with a Mexican manager.

Aguirre, at the helm of Mexico’s national team, joked with Herrera about a possible final clash: “I told Miguel, ‘let’s see if we meet in the final, pinche Miguel.’ He said we will.” Meanwhile, Herrera is overseeing a generational overhaul in Costa Rica, and Tena has surprised many by guiding Guatemala past group favorites Jamaica and Panama.

“There’s joy in it,” said Tena, Mexico’s Olympic gold medalist coach from 2012. “Javier and I are the veterans, and though Miguel is younger, he’s been around a long time. As long as we’re offered jobs, we’ll stay close to the game.”

The irony is striking. With limited roles at home, many coaches are now finding paths in Central and South America. Herrera sees systemic issues: “Ask the directors. They’ve lost trust in Mexican coaches. Agents whisper in their ears, and we coaches have to prove we’re capable when the chance comes.”

Back in Mexico, skepticism lingers. Yet in the Gold Cup, Mexican managers are setting the tone. Their value is being recognized elsewhere, even if their homeland has yet to fully embrace them again.