Jaime Lozano named Mexico Under-23 coach

Jaime Lozano was named manager of Mexico’s Under-23 team ahead of the 2019 Olympic games in Tokyo.

Lozano had a major career in Mexico with UNAM Pumas, Tigres, Cruz Azul and Morelia. Lozano played two Copa Americas with Mexico, and was a key figure in the World Cup qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup but was controversially left out of the final list by Ricardo Lavolpe.

As a coach, he was in charge of Queretaro’s U-20 team, winning a league title with them. Lozano would later coach Queretaro’s senior team after Victor Manuel Vucetich was fired. His biggest achievement with the Gallos Blancos was winning a Supercopa against Club America.

The new announcement seems to be good news for Mexico. The U-23 was under Marco Antonio “Chima” Ruiz, who had gotten praise for getting to the Final of the Toulon Tournament. A couple of months later, however, he would fail badly in the Central American and Caribbean games where Mexico was eliminated in the first round after finishing last place in their group. Ruiz is still currently in charge of the U-17 team, which will experience a busy 2019 with World Cup qualifiers and a possible World Cup.

Lozano will officially take control of the U-23 team in January, around the same time it is expected that Gerardo Martino will be announced as the Senior National Team coach.