This Thursday, March 3, 2022, Fernando Ortiz was officially named the interim head coach at Club America after Santiago Solari was relieved of his duties. Ortiz was previously the Club America U-20 head coach before taking on the role as the first team’s manager.
The rest of the staff includes Raul Rodrigo Lara, who was Ortiz’s assistant on the U-20 side and previously also played at Club America from 1990 to 2002. Ortiz’s other assistant will be Peter Thelemaque, who was the U-18 head coach at Club America
Ortiz’s prior managerial experience includes jobs in the Paraguayan league with Sol de America and Sportivo Luqueno. The Argentine also had an extensive playing career from 1998 to 2014 that included some time in Mexico with Santos Laguna, Club America and Tigres UANL.
This role at Club America is without a doubt the Argentine’s biggest task yet in his managerial career, especially considering the current state of the club. The Mexico City team is living one of its worst seasons ever, currently dead last with six points from eight games played.
Ortiz’s first test will come this Saturday, March 5, when Club America visits penultimate-place Monterrey at the Estadio BBVA. It is unclear as to what intentions Club America has with Fernando Ortiz as the team may be searching for a replacement now or when the season concludes.
It is more likely that Las Aguilas will look for an immediate replacement for Solari, but positive results have the potential to change that plan.
