Liga MX reaches Final Four: Meet the coaches
Prodigal son returns to Liga MX
“El Turco” had long been linked with a return to the Liga MX after he spent three years building up a powerful team in Monterrey, reaching two finals, but losing both.
Mohamed left the Rayados in 2018 and tried his hand in Spain, but failed to impress at Celta de Vigo. The 49-year-old Argentine then went home, but had little success with Huracán, and he resigned in April of this year. Since then, there has been no shortage of rumors about his return to Mexico where he enjoyed success as a coach and a player (he led the now defunct Toros Neza to a Liga MX Final in 1997).
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When the Rayados lost at home to the hated Tigres and fell to 5-1-6, Monterrey management fired Diego Alonso and brought back “El Turco.” He quickly made a difference – there were still several roster holdovers from his final season, the Clausura 2018 – and, after a loss to Querétaro in his first game on the bench, the Rayados responded.
Monterrey went 3-2-0 down the stretch and claimed the final playoff spot on the last weekend of the season. As the Rayados have the league’s biggest payroll, ownership was relieved to qualify for the Liguilla. Mohamed had restored the team’s confidence and the Rayados came out flying against top-seeded Santos Laguna in the quarterfinals. Monterrey routed the Guerreros 5-2 in the first leg, then held on for a 1-1 draw in Torreón. They have reclaimed their label as title contender.