It won't be easy.
The task at hand could perhaps be his toughest yet.
Antonio Mohamed is the new man in charge of coaching Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles. The Argentine-born coach was named Joaquin del Olmo's replacement last Monday after team management fired him after nine games in the Primera División.
Now it is Mohamed's turn to try and make a team sitting near the bottom of the Apertura tournament with only six points, one ahead of last place Atlas, into winners. The Xolos are 1-5-3 and at the bottom of the percentage table that decides which team will be relegated to the Second Division.
Mohamed will try to resurrect to a team that at times has been the better team but failed to score goals in matches they dominated for the most part. He has been with the team six days and on the seventh there is no time for rest.
Mohamed's first task as the Xolos' coach is to walk into the storied Estadio Azteca on Sunday and face one of Mexico's more powerful and economically and historically rich franchises in Club América in a Week 10 match-up. It is the first meeting between both teams.
But América is not the powerhouse club it used to be, at least in this tournament. "Las Águilas" as América is known, is one spot ahead of the Xolos, with nine points in the standings. América also fired its coach last week and will have a new one leading the team Sunday.
The Xolos are desperate for a win and what better way for Mohamed to begin his reign in Tijuana with a win in a historical match for the club. After all, Mohamed took the job knowing the Xolos' roster has plenty of talented players.
"This is a team that can win," Mohamed said earlier this week during his introductory news conference. "This roster was put together to accomplish important tasks. We need to work on the players' psyche who are a bit down."
The players could be lamenting the firing of del Olmo. Sources say players lobbied heavily with team management not to fire del Olmo. The team held a lengthy meeting after losing to Estudiantes Tecos 2-0 last week at home. Hours later, their coach was fired.
"Del Olmo did a great job from the moment he came here," Mohamed said. "He built a great group of players but unfortunately, soccer is about results and that didn't happen. The city, the fans have been supportive with everything but the team is a bit down because it is yet to win at home. We are working on changing that. We will try to work the psychological part of the game then fix some tactical things."
If Mohamed will work on the psychological part of the game, he can begin with himself.
He is making his debut as the Xolos' coach much the same way he debuted in Mexico as a player. It was at Estadio Azteca as he led Toros Neza to a win against "Las Águilas."
Turning the Xolos into a winning team could be even more daunting. He has, however, taken teams from near relegation and others into promotion in his native Argentina.
But perhaps his toughest job will be to earn the players' respect, their trust after most showed loyalty to del Olmo. Time will tell how Mohamed will mesh in Tijuana. But all things point to not being easy.
ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com
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Where to watch
What: Xolos vs. Club América
When: Sunday, Sept. 25, 2 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Where: Estadio Azteca in Mexico City
TV: Univision, Televisa
Outlook: The Xolos have a new coach in Antonio Mohamed and the team is hoping he is the man that will help polish some tactical tasks that del Olmo couldn't accomplish. Tijuana needs goals and a win against América could be of historic proportions for the club.
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