Mexico confirms end of Gerardo Martino’s deal after El Tri fail to get out of the group stage

After tying Poland on points, but falling short of second place on goal difference, the Mexican Football Federation announced that first team boss Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino has been fired.

At the 2022 World Cup, Mexico had a record of 1-1-1 – opening with a draw against Poland, followed by a loss to Argentina then a win over Saudi Arabia.

That result means that Mexico’s streak of making it into the knockout stages ends at nine tournaments. The last time they failed to make it out of the group stage was 1978.

‘I am responsible for today’s result,’ Martino said in the post match press conference, later adding, ‘My contract ended as soon as the referee blew the final whistle and there is nothing more to be done.’

A 2-1 win was not enough for Martino’s men, who looked to struggle at times against both Poland and Argentina. 

‘We outplayed the opponent and created more chances and we could have scored as many goals as needed,’ Martino said, reflecting on the match against Saudi Arabia.

‘That is why we went for the third goal and we added two center-forwards together. We knew that Poland had fewer yellows and we were going out, so it was necessary in that moment.

‘But we failed and I don’t think we were knocked out in the previous matches, rather today. I think we should analyze this more thoroughly when we have a clear mind.

‘This is the reality. We are in a position of fragility because we are out of the World Cup.

Martino managed to pull out a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia, but couldn’t find a needed third goal

The Argentina-born Martino was hired by the FMF to take the top job with their men’s team back in 2019. 

Before then, he had experience as a national team manager taking Paraguay and Argentina to the finals of the Copa America in 2011 and in 2015 and 2016 respectively. He also had experience coaching club football at Newell’s Old Boys and Barcelona.

In his last job before taking the gig with Mexico, Martino was named the first head coach of MLS expansion team Atlanta United. During his time in Atlanta, he won the MLS Cup with them for the first time.

After resigning, he took time off before being announced as head coach of Mexico in January of 2019.

Martino joined Mexico after he experienced success with Atlanta United, winning the MLS Cup

While in charge of Mexico, Martino won the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup over the United States by a scoreline of 1-0.

However, the USMNT would get their revenge in the summer of 2021 – defeating Mexico not only in the Gold Cup final, but also in the CONCACAF Nations League final.

In this, Martino’s first adventure in a World Cup, Mexico finished second in CONCACAF’s dreaded ‘Hex’ with a record of 8-4-2.

With the termination of the deal, Martino’s record with Mexico stands at 42-12-12.

Martino’s time with Mexico ends with the Argentine owning a record of 42-12-12 with El Tri