Photo Credit: CF Monterrey
By: Jonny Rico
Follow Jonny Rico on Facebook and Twitter.
Argentine manager Antonio ‘Turco’ Mohamed who just last season led Club America to its record setting 12th league championship has made his return to Liga MX. He will replace the recently fired Carlos Barra at Rayados of Monterrey.
Mohamed returned to his native Argentina last December after finishing the Apertura 2014 season with the league title in hand. His contract was not renewed at the Mexico City club and has since been enjoying the down time with his family.
“This is a great honor” said ‘Turco’ Mohamed in his presentation press conference on Monday “I thought the day would never come, but I am grateful for the opportunity.”
Mohamed returns to Monterrey to fulfill a promise he made many years ago:
“I love this club, one day I will manage it.”
Mohamed made 58 appearances for Rayados in his two year spell at the club from 1998 through 2000.
He will have his work cut out for him, Carlos Barra left the club in second to last place of the league table with four points, only one above last place Morelia. Monterrey fans enjoyed a successful period under Victor Manuel Vucetich winning league championships as well as numerous CONCACAF Champions League titles; Mohamed will look to return the club to past glory.
Monterrey has did not only hire a prodigal son manager but also a proven winner. Mohamed led Club Tijuana – the youngest Liga MX franchise – to relegation salvation, the club’s first playoff appearance, and then the club’s first ever league title (in first division).
He also qualified the Xolos to its first Copa Libertadores and CONCACAF Champions League. In only his second season in charge, Mohamed also led Club America to win the league title making the Mexico City side the most successful team in Mexican soccer history.
His first math in charge of Rayados will come on Saturday evening when Monterrey host Club Queretaro.
