Fansided

A Chivas wish list for a team that needs an overhaul

By Jahir M. Martinez

Celta Vigo's Argentinian coach Antonio Mohamed gestures during the Spanish league football match between Sevilla FC and RC Celta de Vigo at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Sevilleon October 7, 2018. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP) (Photo credit should read CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images)
Celta Vigo's Argentinian coach Antonio Mohamed gestures during the Spanish league football match between Sevilla FC and RC Celta de Vigo at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Sevilleon October 7, 2018. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP) (Photo credit should read CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images) /
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One word describes the Chivas this season, tragic. There’s no doubt the Chivas will undergo major changes this summer.

The Chivas will miss out on the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, and the way they’ve missed out this season – 0-1-7 in their last 8 matches – shows they will need to make major changes.

Jose Cardozo was fired after the Matchday 12 loss to the Pumas and interim coach Tomas Boy is not expected to remain in the job past the season finale on May 4, especially since the Chivas have lost both games with him in charge. The coaching search is ongoing and management knows all three lines must be improved.

One coach who leaped to the top of Chivas’ fans list is Antonio Mohamed who this week resigned from Argentina’s Huracan after the team was eliminated from the Copa Libertadores. “The Turk” immediately announced he was interested in the Chivas job.

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Mohamed is well-known to Liga MX fans. He led Tijuana (Apertura 2012) and America (Apertura 2014) to championships and enjoyed success with Monterrey too, winning a Copa MX (Apertura 2017) and losing a league final to Pachuca (Clausura 2016).

Mohamed then went to Spain to coach Celta Vigo but did not last the season. He then returned to Huracan – the Buenos Aires-based team where he started his career as a player and where he coached three previous times. “The Turk” did not have much success this tie around, going only 2-6-10 this season.

The Chivas probably will consider Mohamed but their promise to bring in a big-name coach suggests they will do a comprehensive search.

Beyond a new coach, Guadalajara needs help all over the field and here are three players that Chivas fans would be delighted to see wearing the red-and-white stripes.

Hector Moreno, a 31-year-old defender with Real Sociedad, has been linked to the new MLS team owned by David Beckham, Inter Miami. That would make sense from a financial standpoint, but he would be a perfect fit for the Chivas in front of young goalie Raul Gudiño and alongside Hiram Mier and Jose Carlos Van Rankin.

Moreno would provide stability and leadership and his experience would be invaluable as a mentor for the young Chivas. Moreno was a starter for El Tri’s 2005 World Cup-winning Under-17 team and he has been an integral part of Mexico’s last three World Cup teams. Admittedly, it is unlikely that Moreno joins the Chivas, but it would be worthy for him to finish his career in his home country.

The midfield has been a big problem for “El Rebaño Sagrado.” Isaac Brizuela and Jesus Molina have not linked up well with the forwards this season, so why not go after Leon captain Luis Montes. “Chapo” has played at a very high level for league-leading Leon this season and he could spark the engine with his vision and passing. There have been reports that the Chivas will go after Montes this summer, so this wish is not so far-fetched.

Another player that could fill out the midfield would be Juergen Damm of the Tigres. Damm has been linked to the Chivas in years past, and having the speedy winger playing opposite to Brizuela would be fun to watch. Damm’s quickness on the flank could lead to assists to Alexis Vega or Alan Pulido.

Finally, this wish list would not be complete without Javier Hernandez, currently playing with West Ham in the English Premier League. Already 30 years old, “Chicharito” probably has few options in Europe and he has been quoted saying he’d love to finish his career with the team that started it.

It will be an interesting summer for Chivas all around from bringing in a new manager to new faces. There is intense pressure to return the prestige to Mexico’s most popular team.

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