Liga MX: Marc Crosas suggests the timeline of Santos events

Marc Corsas of Univision Deportes has given his take on what happened at Santos Laguna training that ended with Robert Siboldi’s resignation.

The shocking news of yesterday that Robert Siboldi and his staff were no longer with the club left us with a number of questions. Not least of which was what had happened that led to the sudden resignation. The club press conference shed a small bit of light on the matter, with center back Gerardo Alcoba coming forward as the player involved in an altercation with the title-winning coach.

According to Marc Corsas, the timeline goes back to Sunday, August 5, when Alcoba began on the bench and then played a few minutes in the 2^nd half. Later, Siboldi went to the players’ house and informed himself m that the benching was the decision of the Santos Laguna board. Alcoba went to the board, as a result, telling them he wanted to leave, citing his disdain for a board that tells the manager what to do in the player selection area.

That Monday, a meeting was held. The board argued they are not forcing Siboldi to do anything. When pressed by Alcohhba to confirm or deny that he had told the player it was the board’s decision, Siboldi denied it and said it was suggested by his assistant, Leandro Curfe. The assistant coach then resigned in anger and accused Siboldi of lying, saying he refuses to work with a manager that lies to his players.

The Tuesday Copa MX match saw Alcoba start but not wearing the captain’s armband, despite being second in line for it. After the match, Alcoba went to the head coach and questions him about why he would discredit his player in front of his teammates, fans, and the press. The argument became heated and a fight broke out, shortly after.

Wednesday, Siboldi is called into a meeting in front of the board. When asked to explain himself, Siboldi was unable to do so. As a result, he submitted his resignation.

It’s important to note this is all according to Marc Corsas, who was not involved in the events. It does seem to line up with the comments made by the club vice president at yesterday’s press conference, however, that upon winning the title, the coaching staff began to “show their venom”. In addition, Cufre was not at the Copa MX match on Tuesday, giving further credence to Crosas’ timeline of his resignation.

More from Viva Liga MX

• Guillermo Ochoa is out 4-6 weeks
• The Clásico Regiomontano is Heating Up
• Pumas: In Search of Regaining a Top Spot
• Why the United States Is Set to Overtake Mexico on the World Stage
• Erick Gutierrez is out once again

Siboldi and staff have been popular with Santos Laguna fans, so this is surely not well-received news. Hopefully the club can move on quickly, however.  They face a difficult stretch in their schedule, now, with matches against Chivas, Tigres, Xolos, and Cruz Azul before then end of the month. The club will be coached by Salvador Reyes in the interim.