FMF appoints Diego Cocca as new head coach of Mexican national team

FMF Executive Director Rodrigo Ares de Parga announced Diego Cocca as the new head coach of the Mexican national team.

Tigres president Miguel Culebro revealed his appointment on Thursday, after confirming Cocca’s departure from the Liga MX team to pursue the opportunity to lead El Tri.

He replaces Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, who left after his contract expired at the end of Mexico’s underwhelming exit in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“We welcome Diego Cocca, who will be serving as the new Head Coach of the Mexican National Team. We needed a Coach with great group management, Mexican football knowledge, and a defined game style,” said Ares de Parga.  

“We are convinced that this is a good decision. We will see Diego succeed. We are very happy. Diego is a hardworking man, with Mexican football knowledge. He is a great Coach and knows how to manage a group.”

Ares de Parga revealed the Federacion Mexicana de Futbol interviewed five candidates for the coaching position, completing an extension process before reaching the final decision.  

“The National Teams Committee interviewed five Head Coach candidates, and three of them had the capacities for the job. We considered the five candidates all the time and, by the beginning of this week, the National Teams Committee had two meetings with Diego Cocca, who we would welcome aboard,” said Ares de Parga.

“We made a deep analysis with every candidate. We saw strong points in Diego. He is a smart leader with values and group management. He is a proven professional with experience throughout his career. He has achievements in Mexico and Argentina,” added Men’s National Teams Director Jaime Ordiales.  

“He is a demanding and committed Coach. Diego Cocca works every day to be better and knows how to work with his capacities. He truly knows this football and the Mexican footballer.” 

Cocca comes in with extensive experience in Liga MX, serving as head coach of Santos Laguna, Atlas and Tigres, briefly. He famously led Atlas to back-to-back league titles in 2021 to end the 70-year trophy drought.

“For me, this is very important. First, because I am the Coach of a country that has given me a lot” said Cocca. “Mexico has seen me grow as a person, as a professional, and welcomed me back as a Head Coach. Being able to help get its National Team better is a privilege and an opportunity I could not miss.” 

Mexico will not partake in World Cup qualifiers this cycle, after standing as hosts of the 2026 tournament alongside Canada and the United States, forcing Cocca to deliver in Concacaf tournaments. He faces his first challenge with Mexico on March 23, leading El Tri in a Nations League clash against Suriname.