MOSCOW: Mexico have had six different coaches at the last seven World Cups ranging from the impassioned, ranting Mexican Miguel Herrera to irascible Argentine Ricardo La Volpe and the cerebral Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio, their current boss.
But the result is always the game. For the seventh World Cup in a row, the soccer-mad country of more than 100 million people has seen its team knocked out in the second round, this time with Monday’s 2-0 defeat to Brazil.
As always, there were tantalising moments, notably in the 1-0 win over Germany, when Mexico suggested they could finally succeed in their seemingly Sisyphean task of reaching the “fifth game.”
But then came the familiar collapse, this time in their final group game against Sweden when they were outmuscled by less sophisticated opponents and lost 3-0, followed by the inevitable end.
Four of Mexico’s second-round eliminations have come against clearly superior teams: twice against Argentina (2006 and 2010), once against Germany (1998) and now Brazil.
But twice Mexico were the favourites, against Bulgaria in 1994 when they lost on penalties, and against the US in 2002 when they collectively froze and lost 2-0.
The other was an even match against the Netherlands four years ago, when they led 1-0 until the last five minutes, only to capitulate and lose 2-1.
One of Mexico’s many problems is that the pressure on the coach is immense, especially for a foreigner, and Osorio – the ninth man to occupy the post in 10 years – has been in a running battle with the media during his three years in charge.
Another finger could be pointed at the Mexican league, the strongest in Latin America, which paradoxically is detrimental to the national side.