This Friday, Veracruz announced its replacement for Jose Cardozo in former Pumas UNAM manager Guillermo Vazquez. “Memo” will have a very tough task in the Clausura 2018 to try and save Los Tiburones from relegation in what appears to be an almost impossible uphill battle.
Veracruz is currently last on the relegation table with just 88 points, eight points away from penultimate place Queretaro. Los Escualos will need almost a miracle to be saved from relegation and opted for a very interesting pick for their newest manager. Guillermo Vazquez does not have much experience at all at being in charge of a struggling franchise like Veracruz. The Mexican boss has only managed two teams in his career Cruz Azul and more notably Pumas UNAM.
Vazquez began his Liga MX managing career in 2006 but was only in charge of Pumas UNAM for five matches before being replaced by Ricardo Ferretti. “Memo” became Ferretti’s assistant coach until 2010 when he took over as the head coach for the Mexico City team. Vazquez found almost immediate success as he led Los Felinos to the Clausura 2011 title. Vazquez stayed with Pumas UNAM until the Clausura 2012 before joining Mexico City rivals Cruz Azul in the Apertura 2012 and staying with La Maquina until the Clausura 2013.
The Mexico City native had success with Los Cementeros as he led the team to the Clausura 2013 final against Club America. The team famously loss in the most Cruz Azul fashion possible as goalkeeper Moises Munoz connected on a header in stoppage time to tie up the global score at two goals each. Vazquez’s team went on to lose on penalties and the Mexican manager left Cruz Azul with just a Copa MX title to show for it. The 50-year-old went on to have a second stint with Pumas UNAM from 2014-2016, where he also found success.
Vazquez led Pumas UNAM to a first-place finish in the Apertura 2015 and went on to lose the final against Tigres UANL and his former mentor Ricardo Ferretti. “Memo” has had a decorated career as a manager but has only been in charge of successful teams, this will be a distinct challenge for him and he may not prove to be the best fit for Los Tiburones Rojos.
