The new coach of Mexico's national team, Javier Aguirre, has stated that it's time to do something for his country after spending most of his career abroad. He is confident of achieving a good performance in the 2026 World Cup, where Mexico will be one of the hosts.

"I feel it's time, after 22 years wandering around, to return to my country and do something for it. I arrive in good physical and mental condition with solid experience to contribute to the national team’s project for the World Cup that we will host in Mexico," the coach said upon his arrival in Mexico to be presented in his new role this Thursday.

After failing with Mexico in the 2002 and 2010 World Cups and also with the national teams of Japan and Egypt, "El Vasco" will take charge of the Mexican national team, replacing Jaime Lozano following Mexico’s failure in the Copa América.

"I am convinced that projects need to be allowed to progress. I supported Jaime unconditionally. As it happens in this role, results dictate. They decided to part ways with Jaime and called me. It's hard to say no to the Mexican national team when it doesn't have a coach; it's a fantastic opportunity," he added.

Lozano was dismissed amid controversy because the explanation for his departure was not reaching the quarterfinals in the Copa América, but that depended on a missed penalty in the match against Venezuela, something beyond the coach's control.

Aguirre said he is motivated because he played with Mexico in the 1986 World Cup, understands the atmosphere of the national team when hosting, and feels capable of helping the team advance in the World Cup that will be co-hosted with the United States and Canada.

"There is a lot of excitement about entering the elite group; I see a mentally strong team," said the strategist, who will have World Cup player Rafael Márquez as his assistant.

Aguirre took responsibility for the failures in the World Cups where he didn't succeed with Mexico; he admitted that he failed by not having a Plan B when things went wrong in the round of 16 against the United States in 2002 and acknowledged that his attitude was poor during the press conference before facing Argentina in the round of 16 in 2010.

"The thing with the United States never happened again. I always have plans A, B, C, and D: in 2010, I was criticized for attending the press conference wearing a cap and looking down; after that, I looked people in the eyes at all my press conferences, but there were also good things," he stated.

Aguirre, 65, has extensive experience in La Liga, having managed Atlético Madrid, Osasuna, Zaragoza, Espanyol, Leganés, and Mallorca. Besides coaching Japan and Egypt, he also managed Al-Wahda in the United Arab Emirates. Two years ago, he had a disappointing stint with Monterrey’s Rayados, one of the most powerful teams in Mexican football.