Victor Manuel Vucetich will no longer serve as Mexico's manager following two games at the helm, according to an interview with ESPN on Thursday night.
Various outlets reported on Thursday that the former Monterrey boss was released of his duties. The Mexican Football Federation called a news conference for Friday to announce who will guide the team in next month's two-game playoff against New Zealand for a World Cup berth. It is widely believed that Club America manager Miguel Herrera will succeed Vucetich.
“It was an experience,” Vucetich told ESPN Deportes. “It was positive, but it wasn't what I wanted. It ends this way. There were only six training sessions. I'm confident, I'm King Midas, but I am not God. This is why we are as we are.”
#Vucetich: "Ya me informaron que estoy destituido de la Selección. Soy el Rey Midas, no Dios. Por eso estamos como estamos".
— Raza Deportiva (@razaespn) October 18, 2013
Vucetich replaced Jose Manuel de la Torre, who was fired after Mexico's 2-1 loss to Honduras at Estadio Azteca in early September. Stand-in Luis Fernando Tena oversaw Mexico's 2-0 loss to the United States on Sept. 11.
In his first two games in charge, Vucetich guided Mexico to a home win against Panama and road loss to Costa Rica in El Tri's final CONCACAF World Cup qualifying group matches. Mexico will play New Zealand for a spot in next year's World Cup despite losing 2-1 at Costa Rica on Tuesday night.
The Mexicans advanced to the intercontinental playoff series when the United States rallied with two late goals to win at Panama. That kept Mexico in fourth place at the conclusion of the CONCACAF final qualifying round with only 11 points, three ahead of Panama, which would have advanced by holding off the Americans.
Mexico will host the first leg on Nov. 13 and play at New Zealand on Nov. 20. The Mexicans have made every World Cup since they were disqualified from the 1990 tournament for using an overage player at a youth event.
The Associated Press was used in this report.
