Javier Torrente became the second Liga MX manager fired this weekend after being dismissed by Morelia on Sunday, a day after Jose Luis “Chelis” Sanchez was relieved of his duties at Puebla.
Morelia lost 1-0 on Saturday evening to Club America and Torrente stated afterwards that his future was out of his hands, but did point out that his team had faced a start that included games against reigning Liga MX champion Tigres, CONCACAF Champions League holder Monterrey, as well as giant Club America.
But club directors opted for a change, with Monarcas winning only three points from its first five games of the 2019 Apertura.
“We have concluded our working relationship with Javier Torrente and we thank him and his coaching staff for their effort and dedication,” began a statement from the club, which added that a new coach would be confirmed “in coming days.”
Torrente, who had been with Morelia since February, wasn’t the first head coach to leave his job this season, with Sanchez let go on Saturday, one day after Puebla’s 4-0 home loss to Pachuca. The club had been defeated 4-1 by Santos Laguna the previous weekend and is on one point from its first four games of the Apertura.
“I don’t consider it unjust, things just didn’t work out,” Sanchez told ESPN on Saturday. “I insist that I believe the team is better than last season, but I couldn’t leave my mark on it.”
Mexico coach Jose Manuel “Chepo” de la Torre is Puebla’s number one choice to replace Sanchez, with Robert Siboldi and former Morelia coach Roberto Hernandez also in the frame, according to ESPN sources.
Queretaro finished round five of games of the season in first place, after the surprise of the Apertura so far defeated Juarez 2-0 on Sunday.
Club America is the only other undefeated team in second, with Santos Laguna in third, having lost their unbeaten record in Sunday’s 3-0 defeat against Necaxa.
Veracruz lost 2-0 away at Pumas on Sunday to extend its run of games without a victory in Liga MX to 31.