Rafael Márquez has been named the new head coach of the Mexican national team, with the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) announcing his appointment on Wednesday. Márquez, 47, will lead El Tri leading up to and through the 2030 World Cup, succeeding Javier Aguirre.
Márquez previously served as Aguirre’s assistant from August 2024 until Mexico's recent elimination in the round of 16 at the World Cup. The FMF stated that Márquez's appointment is part of an "orderly transition designed to ensure continuity … strengthen development, and tackle upcoming commitments."
While the team has no immediate fixtures, Márquez is expected to make his managerial debut during the FIFA international window in late September and early October. Aguirre expressed confidence in his successor, noting, "I am happy with the growth shown by Rafa. ... he is more than qualified."
The FMF also acknowledged Aguirre's contributions, stating he "leaves behind a solid legacy of hard work, identity, and competitiveness that strengthens the foundation for the national team’s next chapter." Under Aguirre, who managed Mexico for three World Cup cycles, the team reached the round of 16 in eight of the last nine World Cups, showing marked improvement after a group stage exit in Qatar 2022.
Márquez brings a decorated resume as a player to his coaching role. He participated in five World Cups, won the 1999 Confederations Cup, and claimed Gold Cup titles in 2003 and 2011. His club career included stints with Monaco and a successful tenure at Barcelona, where he won two Champions League trophies and four La Liga titles. Domestically, he won back-to-back Liga MX titles with León after starting and ending his career with Atlas.
Transitioning to coaching, Márquez began with Real Alcalá's youth ranks before managing Barcelona's reserve team, Barça Atlètic. In 82 matches over two seasons with Barça Atlètic, he recorded 40 wins, 21 draws, and 21 losses.