Mexico Gold Cup coach Lozano wants dream stay after trophy

Mexico interim supervisor Jaime “Jimmy” Lozano stated it might be a “dream” to keep up his place with the nationwide crew after serving to it declare a title within the 2023 Gold Cup with an exciting 1-0 victory over Panama in Sunday’s closing in Inglewood, California.

Substitute Santiago Gimenez scored the late winner at SoFi Stadium to push Mexico previous a resilient Panama aspect and carry a Concacaf-record ninth Gold Cup title after Lozano’s aspect conceded simply two objectives in your complete event.

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“With these results, they open opportunities,” Lozano stated after the match. “Obviously, I would like to be here. Obviously, it would be a dream to lead my national team in a World Cup, and even more in a World Cup where we’ll be the home side.

“If it is my flip, it is a dream, it is a dream. What I’m experiencing now [as interim] is a dream.”

Lozano, hired just days before the start of the Gold Cup, replaced former coach Diego Cocca, who was fired after an embarrassing 3-0 loss to the United States in June’s Nations League Finals.

With Lozano in charge, Mexico stormed through the Gold Cup with a four wins and one loss to Qatar after already clinching passage to the knockout stage.

Panama made things difficult in a tight championship match, but following a late surge in the second half from El Tri, Gimenez tallied the sole score in the 85th minute.

Despite his Gold Cup success, Lozano noted that his agreement with the national team lasted only through the end of the tournament.

“I signed a contract for the Gold Cup; I consider that beginning now I’m free [to sign with anyone],” Lozano said. “I do not know if it is in a number of weeks or months, however a call will must be made, and from my half, every time I might help the nationwide crew, I’m obtainable.”

His status as an interim also led to a slightly awkward interaction with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Sunday’s medal ceremony. After giving Lozano his medal, Infantino apparently wished the manager good luck in the next World Cup.

“I feel Infantino did not know that my contract ended right here,” Lozano said with a laugh in the postgame news conference.

At the very least for Lozano, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has stated recently that he remains in the running for a permanent position. Earlier in the week, after Mexico had qualified for the Gold Cup final with a triumph over Jamaica, FMF executive president Ivar Sisniega said, “Whatever occurs Sunday will not decide the way forward for Jimmy Lozano,” as he discussed possible options for the team’s permanent manager.

“Of course, Jimmy ought to be one of many candidates,” Sisniega added.

Before teaching Mexico’s senior crew as an interim, Lozano made a reputation for himself with a bronze-medal end with El Tri on the Tokyo Olympics. A powerful core of members on the present Gold Cup roster performed for Lozano at these Summer Games in 2021, probably resulting in his hiring earlier than this event.

Mexico’s Gold Cup victory helps it keep its standing because the all-time chief within the event. The United States has the second-most titles with seven.

The U.S., Mexico and Canada are joint hosts of the 2026 World Cup.