Osorio Parts Company With Mexico

Juan Carlos Osorio has stepped down as coach of Mexico having guided the CONCACAF side to the Round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, after almost three years in the role.

After his contract ended following the tournament, he leaves having won 33 of his 52 games at the helm. The Colombian tactician saw national Mexico team tournament end at the hands of Brazil, with a 2-0 defeat seeing the team exit for the seventh-successive time at the last 16. This followed wins over Germany - a first in Mexico’s history - and South Korea to escape the group stage, FIFA wrote on its official website.

He led Mexico to top the qualifying group for Russia 2018, on the way claiming wins at a number of historically awkward places for El Tri (Mexico football team), picking up three points in the US (for the first time in 44 years), Canada (23 years), Honduras (22 years) and Trinidad and Tobago (13 years). Having taken over from Miguel Herrera in October 2015, he also guided the reigning CONCACAF Gold Cup holder to fourth at the FIFA Confederations Cup.

“We thank [Osorio] for his dedication, passion, commitment and affection that he showed and with which he prepared for each one of the games he was in charge of the Mexican national team, as well as his frankness and honesty in his decision not to be considered a candidate for the next World Cup cycle,” the Mexican Football Federation said.

Juan Carlos Osorio Arbeláez, 57, is a Colombian former footballer and currently a manager.

Osorio began his playing career with Deportivo Pereira in 1982, and went on to play for Brazilian club Internacional in 1984 before returning to his native Colombia a year later, ultimately retiring in 1987 at the age of 26 due to injury.