By: Jonny Rico
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It is a crucial time in the history of Club America. This is the year in which Mexico’s most successful club – domestically and internationally – will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Everything must be right, especially the team’s on field performance.
Pressure for positive results are a natural given at Club America and current manager Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Ambriz is feeling it. But had this been any other year besides 2016 ‘Nacho’ would be enjoying a little more breathing room in regards to his job security.
The guy who hired Ambriz, Ricardo Pelaez arrived to Club America in 2011 and his first action as Sporting President was to hire Miguel ‘Piojo’ Herrera. Back then Herrera was not the superstar character he has since become. He was a low key manager that had taken CF Monterrey to a league final once and lost. Then passed through other teams like Estudiantes Tecos and FC Atlante.
Club America had suffered its darkest era under former President Michel Bauer, finishing in last place of the league table several seasons. Pelaez and Herrera needed to come up with a quick fix to please the demanding fans and owner.
Along with the low key manager came in low key players from around the LIGA MX. Rubens Sambueza; who had just been relegated with Estudiantes Tecos, Christian ‘Hobbit’ Bermudez; a typical big fish for a small pond player, Oswaldo Martinez, and others were the players Herrera decided to bring in instead of the big name international signing that all Club America fans wanted.
It wasn’t quick but between Pelaez and Herrera, they managed to get Club America back to the top of the Mexican league foodchain. ‘Piojo’ took America to three semifinals finishes in his first three seasons. Pretty good results by any team’s standards, especially one who had spent some time in the bottom half of the league table; but not by Club America standards.
Pelaez decided to take a radical decision and show patience with his manager. And that patience paid off in the 2013 Clausura season when America were crowned league champions defeating city rivals Cruz Azul in an epic come from behind win.
Fast-forward three years to 2016 and Pelaez has another low key manager that he hand picked. Unfortunately this year he does not have the luxury of patience like he did with Herrera. Especially when he was quick to allow both Antonio ‘Turco’ Mohamed and Gustavo Matosas walk out. Mohamed had led America to its record setting 12th league title before leaving and Matosas led the team to the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League title.
A 1-1-1 start to the 2016 Clausura season is not numbers that should alarm any team but this is not just any team. Positive results need to start coming in ASAP for Ambriz and his America team if he is to keep his job through the Century Birthday Party in October.
Media rumors in Mexico City plus the fan base pressure are already calling for Ambriz’ head. And if Pelaez is to keep his word, then it would be his head rolling right out of the door as well. Following the departures of Mohamed and Matosas, the Club America Sporting President asked for the benefit of the doubt with low key manager Ambriz and assured everyone that if the Ambriz project failed he would resign.
WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES?
If Club America are to decide that they can’t risk an embarrassing 100th anniversary party and want to make splash with a managerial signing, what are the options?
Off the top of my head, Pedro Caixinha comes to mind to take over for ‘Nacho’ Ambriz. The Portuguese manager knows the Mexican league very well. He knows what it takes to win a championship – he lead Santos Laguna to the 2015 Clausura title with a limited roster. He is also a controversial figure in the Mexican game. He speaks his mind quite often and it would play into the Club America mystic just like ‘Piojo’ Herrera once did.
Another option for the Mexico City side is Marcelo ‘Loco’ Bielsa. After being rumored to take over the Mexican National Team and leaving his job at Olympic Marseille, Bielsa has been out of a job. He is no stranger to Mexican football or Club America. He managed FC Atlas from 1992-1994 and Club America from 1995-1996.
A name that has always been bounced around Club America is that of former Boca Jrs manager Carlos Bianchi. For over a decade Club America fans have dreamed of the Argentine manager but it never happened and the dream slowly faded away. The signing of Bianchi would make a splash but his best years might be behind him already and it could end up backfiring on America.
Mexico
