MEXICO: SOCCER - Former Real striker Hugo Sanchez named as National side coach as Pele speaks at International Soccer Congress

After years of lobbying for the job, Hugo Sanchez, the former Real Madrid striker widely considered Mexico's best-ever player, was named national coach on Thursday (November 16), as soccer great Pele addressses the International Soccer Congress. Sanchez won five consecutive league titles with Real Madrid from 1986 alongside the likes of Emilio Butragueno. He was five time the top scorer in Spain's Primera Liga and celebrated his goals with a trademark somersault. The fiery 48-year-old takes over as Mexican coach from his bitter rival Ricardo La Volpe, who resigned at the end of Mexico's unsuccessful run at the World Cup in Germany and is now manager of Argentina's Boca Juniors. Known as "Hugol", a combination of his name and the word for "goal" in Spanish, Sanchez had long been tipped to coach Mexico. Sanchez's outspoken nature and ranting about refereeing decisions had upset some in the Mexican Football Federation and he lost out to La Volpe four years ago. The two men clashed repeatedly with Sanchez criticising La Volpe's tactics and style and the Argentine saying his rival was "second rate". As a player at club level, Sanchez won trophies galore in Mexico and Spain but he never showed the same form playing for the national team, a perennial underperformer in major championships. He played for his country more than 70 times and scored 47 goals, but only struck once in three World Cup tournaments. Sanchez began his professional career at UNAM-Pumas in 1975 and moved to Spain six years later, first playing for Atletico Madrid. His finest years came when he joined Real Madrid in 1985 and the team won five straight championships. After retiring as a player in 1997, he returned to Pumas as manager and took them to two successive league championships, boosting his claim for the national job. Sanchez once said the Federation was scared of him. Sanchez's success at Pumas and La Volpe's failure to improve Mexico's World Cup record meant Sanchez was the clear favorite. The Federation said Sanchez's rival for the job, Argentine coach Americo Gallego, withdrew from the race on Wednesday. Sanchez was the fans' favorite, although some are not convinced he will deliver.

ITN Source | November 19, 2006

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