El Tri Doesn't Deserve To Go To Brazil: Hugo Sanchez

El Tri doesn't deserve to go to Brazil, according to ex-striker Hugo Sánchez. The legendary player wrote a column in El Universal in which he slammed the leaders of the Mexican federation for the recent leadership circus, suggesting that the team does not deserve a place in the 2014 World Cup. In the article, posted today, Sanchez writes that "for all that's been said, written and done, Mexico does not deserve to be in Brazil." The famed player and coach called the current leadership situation a "nightmare" and accused the leaders of the Mexican Football Federation of manipulating popular opinion, suggesting that Mexico's precarious position in the World Cup qualification is thoroughly deserved.

El Tri has had a crisis in its leadership with three different coaches taking over the team in the last three months. Sánchez argues that popular opinion is being manipulated into the belief that "players and experts were to blame for this crisis [but they are] completely mistaken." It's a "shame" Sanchez continues "that many of the owners and leaders are sitll under the impression that people won't realize they are only looking after their own interests...if Mexico qualifies for the World Cup, they are not going to raise a finger against these poor decisions." Sánchez points out the fact that Luis Fernando Tena was replaced after just one game, despite the fact that he took El Tri to the gold medal at London 2012. The former Real Madrid player then goes on to criticize federation president Justin Compean for replacing Víctor Manuel Vucetitch after just two matches: in Sánchez' opinion, Vucetitch was one of the most successful managers in the history of the game.

El Tri's place in the World Cup hangs by a thread. After losing to Costa Rica, Mexico was saved by the United States' victory over Panama in the final minutes, sending El Tri to a play off against New Zealand. Sánchez added further criticism to Jorge Vergara for supporting Mexican soccer only as much as it served as a platform for the promotion of his own products and questioned why the Chivas owner should have such influence on national selections. The famed Mexican player closed by saying "it has to change, qualifying or not. There is no remedy but to change the direction and nature of the way football is managed in Mexico."