TIJUANA – The fans demanded it Sunday afternoon. They yelled for Joaquín del Olmo to be fired as Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles' head coach.
Hours later, they got what they wanted.
A posting on the team's Facebook page late Sunday night read, "Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles announces that Mr. Joaquín del Olmo is no longer the head coach and it is analyzing who will replace him."
The post appeared about 10 p.m., hours after the Xolos lost to Estudiantes Tecos 2-0 at Estadio Caliente.
The release continued, "The administration thanks Mr. del Olmo for his work that led the team into the First Division of Mexican soccer, something that will always be a part of the history of this border.
"Joaquin del Olmo will always be known as the coach that took the team from the Liga de Ascenso into the First Division and for that he will always have a special place among the fans in both Californias."
It is unclear when a replacement will be named.
The Xolos (1-5-3) are in 17th place out of 18 teams with six points in nine games and would be sent back to the second division if the season ended Sunday.
The team finds itself in this position after going 25 straight games without a loss at home in its run-up to the joining the First Division.
But the Xolos are winless in five tries at home since joining that division. That includes losses against fellow candidates for demotion, Queretaro and Tecos.
Fans chanted "Fuera!, Fuera!, Fuera!," in Spanish or "Out, out, out!" while pointing to a suite where del Olmo watched the match against Tecos. He was serving a suspension after being ejected in the Xolos' 1-1 draw against Toluca a week ago.
"It would be easy for me to hide behind excuses," del Olmo told reporters after Sunday's loss to Tecos. "But I am responsible. I am destroyed, I'm bitter."
Ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com
