Victor Manuel Vucetich turned down the chance of coaching Mexico because of personal reasons, leaving Jose Manuel De La Torre the only candidate for the post on Saturday.
Vucetich, who coaches Mexican club Monterrey Rayados, told a news conference that he realized he was missing out on a unique opportunity but that his family situation left no option.
''The situation ... is based specifically on the fact that at this time, my presence at home is fundamental and for that reason I have to pull out,'' Vucetich said. ''I know the situation I'm dealing with, I know what I'm giving up. I know that this could be my only opportunity ... but I am calm and very sure about this kind of decision.''
The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) had called a meeting of club owners for Monday to choose between Vucetich and Toluca coach De La Torre as permanent successor to Javier Aguirre. The federation told The Associated Press on Saturday that meeting would go ahead despite Vucetich's announcement leaving De La Torre seemingly unopposed, but it would not confirm that De La Torre's appointment was a formality.
The decision of the apparent leading candidate to withdraw from the race throws Mexican football into further chaos after elimination in the World Cup second round in South Africa was followed by Aguirre's departure.
The team has had two interim coaches and suffered from infighting between players and directors.
In September, 13 players were punished with fines and suspensions after an all-night party following a friendly against Colombia.
The 11 players who were fined then threatened to boycott future matches unless national team director Nestor De La Torre resigned.
The players reported for the subsequent match against Venezuela this month and De La Torre resigned hours before kickoff of the match which finished 2-2.
The two suspended players - Carlos Vela of Arsenal, and Efrain Juarez of Celtic - were not called up.
In a statement, the players said they had not asked for De La Torre's resignation as a condition for dropping a threat to boycott national team games.
''We want to clarify that we did not ask for anyone's job,'' the statement said.
The players did not take questions after one player read the statement.
Nestor De La Torre is Jose Manuel's brother.
Vucetich said he told FMF directors of his decision on Friday, although the FMF said in a press release he informed them on Thursday.
The FMF said Vucetich told them he was going through a ''very particular family situation, which for the moment did not allow him to continue with the selection process.''
Vucetich will remain as coach of Rayados and acknowledged he was left with ''that feeling that a magnificent opportunity was passing by.''
The coach did not specify the exact reason for his decision, but did refer several times to his children's future and the time he needed to spend with them.
''The time you need to spend with the national team are long periods. Time that for me would be difficult,'' he said.
