Hernan Crespo named Atlas head coach ahead of new Liga MX season

Argentine coaching nomad Hernan Crespo has been appointed head coach of Mexican side Atlas, returning to the dugout just months after leaving Sao Paulo and amid growing speculation linking him with clubs across Europe and the Arab world.

The 51-year-old, a former Argentina and Chelsea striker, has signed on to lead Atlas into the 2024–25 Apertura campaign, replacing compatriot Diego Cocca, who parted ways with the Guadalajara-based club at the start of this month.

Atlas hails Crespo’s ‘ideal’ profile

In a statement on its official website, Atlas said Crespo had been chosen for his blend of experience and authority on and off the pitch.

The club highlighted “his leadership, experience and deep understanding of football”, adding that these qualities “make him the ideal choice to lead this project”.

Crespo’s arrival is seen as a reset for Atlas, who have struggled to recapture the form that brought them recent domestic success. His first competitive match in charge is scheduled for 1 August, when Atlas host Monterrey in the opening round of the new Liga MX season.

Return to work after Sao Paulo exit

The Atlas role marks Crespo’s return to management after several months out of work following his departure from Brazilian giants Sao Paulo in March.

Since hanging up his boots in 2012, Crespo has built a diverse coaching resume across South America, Europe and the Middle East. His early steps came in Italy with Modena, before stints back home in Argentina with Banfield and Defensa y Justicia.

He then moved to the Gulf, taking charge of Qatari side Al Duhail and later Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, before his most recent position at Sao Paulo.

Trophy success in Qatar and Asia

Crespo’s most eye-catching achievements have come in cup and continental competitions.

With Al Duhail, he delivered a domestic treble in the 2022–23 season, winning the league, the cup and the league cup. He then guided Al Ain to the AFC Champions League title in the following campaign, securing one of Asian football’s most prestigious trophies.

Those successes have increased his profile and helped fuel regular reports linking him with higher-profile posts.

Linked with European and Arab giants

In recent months, Crespo’s name has been mentioned in connection with several European clubs, including Spain’s Rayo Vallecano and France’s Olympique de Marseille, as well as Serie A outfits Lazio and Parma, where he is regarded as a club legend from his playing days.

He has also been repeatedly linked with leading Arab sides, notably Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad and Qatar’s Al Sadd.

Despite that growing interest, Crespo has chosen to continue his coaching journey in Mexico’s top flight, where expectations will be high for both performance and style of play.

High-profile voice on global game

Away from the touchline, Crespo has remained a prominent voice in football.

In a two-part interview with the Arabic sports outlet Kooora, he spoke candidly about the Argentina national team and Lionel Messi, as well as African and Saudi football.

In one interview, he insisted that Argentina would remain among the leading contenders for the World Cup “حتى بدون ميسي” – “even without Messi” – but stressed there were “شرطان لكسر لعنة الـ64 عاما” – “two conditions to break the 64-year curse” – in reference to historic tournament obstacles.

In the second part, he turned to African club football, declaring: “الاهلي الاكبر في افريقيا” – “Al Ahly are the biggest in Africa.” He also remarked: “لن ادرب ميسي وهذا موقفي من دوري روشن” – “I will not coach Messi and this is my position on the Roshn League,” referring to Saudi Arabia’s top division.

New chapter in Guadalajara

Atlas will now look to harness Crespo’s international experience and recent trophy-winning pedigree as they attempt to re-establish themselves among Mexico’s leading clubs.

With a demanding fanbase and a challenging opener against Monterrey, Crespo’s impact is likely to be judged quickly – and his latest stop on an increasingly global coaching journey will come under intense scrutiny both in Mexico and abroad.