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Liga MX: Will Atlas Overtake Chivas in Guadalajara?

By Tom Freeman-Eves

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - APRIL 20: Ismael Govea(L) of Atlas and Alan Cervantes (R) of Chivas compete for the ball during the 16th round match between Atlas and Chivas as part of the Torneo Clausura 2018 Liga MX at Jalisco Stadium on April 13, 2018 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Juan Mejia/Jam Media/Getty Images)
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - APRIL 20: Ismael Govea(L) of Atlas and Alan Cervantes (R) of Chivas compete for the ball during the 16th round match between Atlas and Chivas as part of the Torneo Clausura 2018 Liga MX at Jalisco Stadium on April 13, 2018 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Juan Mejia/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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Atlas unveiled Rafa Marquez as their new sporting director this week. Despite Atlas’ poor start to the season, this move shows that the club is making positive steps to turn around its fortunes in the long run and, ultimately, bring home the Liga MX crown.

The legendary captain has made some bold claims already by stating that Atlas and Barcelona share similar DNAs and that he hopes to instil a similar level of success in the Mexican club. Having spent a large portion of his career at Barça, seeing first hand how to translate a successful youth academy to senior team trophies, Rafa might just be perfect fit to take Atlas to the next level.

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Meanwhile, over at Chivas, this announcement comes at a time of significant turmoil for the club. Los Rojiblancos have also had a terrible start to the season but, with a distinct lack of any signs of stability moving forwards.

Following the CONCACAF Champions League triumph, Chivas have experienced a mass exodus from the club as a result of, amongst other issues, board of director disputes and missing player bonuses. Prior to a ball being kicked this season, they had lost their coach, key attacking player Rodolfo Pizarro and centre back Oswaldo Alanis.

As if losing Pizarro and Alanis wasn’t bad enough, the events of this last week have been even more painful for fans. Firstly, we’ve seen Alanis effectively booted out of Getafe which lead to a bizarre plea for his return via twitter.

Next, Pizarro made some pretty damning comments about his previously employer in an interview with FOX Sports MX. The forward has claimed that he was informed of his transfer to Monterrey by Chivas and that he wasn’t consulted at all in the matter.

Pizarro’s comments are so concerning that it’s almost easy to dismiss them as bitter words from a former player. But, we are dealing with this Chivas board and recent comments made by Alan Pulido seem to suggest he was in a similar situation.

Goal have reported that Alan Pulido was also the subject of a bid from Monterrey this offseason, except this time Pulido himself torpedoed the deal, instead preferring a move to Europe. Pulido has then been reported as saying:

"“Yeah, I knew there were some possibilities, but I focused on myself. I wasn’t going to make a decision while my agent and the club directors weren’t telling me anything,”"

A different outcome this time but the same worrying theme emerges; “the club weren’t telling me anything”

The club’s image is under serious threat and, if they can’t rehabilitate it, young Mexican talent will be poached from right under their nose; cutting off the all-Mexican clubs’ lifeline.

Chivas are already at risk of being completely usurped by the big clubs of Monterrey and their arch rivals in the capital. Now, if things don’t improve, they could also be looking at a future in which they’re also overtaken by Atlas.

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