So what’s the deal with Tata Martino? Since his debut as the head coach for Mexico’s national male soccer team, Gerardo Martino has been under scrutiny. Even after Mexico secured a position in the 2022 World Cup finals, fans have been calling for his dismissal.
The drama surrounding Tata, and rumors of his dismissal pre-World Cup, come from a mix of poor strategy, bad eyesight, and ire from fans.
Tata 2019 to Now
Soccer is no joke. This all-or-nothing game is one of the most popular spectator sports worldwide. Soccer has even surpassed other sports in the sportsbook market, beating online basketball betting and NFL betting as one of the most-streamed and bet-on leagues.
So it’s no surprise fans take it seriously, especially when their national team is on the line.
Martino has rubbed Mexico the wrong way due to several seasons of lackluster and uninspired game plays. It’s not that El Tri’s has been performing poorly per se, but that their wins are just as frustrating to watch as their losses and draws.
2019 saw some great performances, ending in El Tri’s victory in the CONCACAF Gold Cup at 1-0. This was Martino’s first and only national title, as the team lost the coveted gold cup pitifully the following year.
The 2022 season saw El Tri qualify spectacularly for the finals in Qatar, but it also saw a surprise eye surgery for Martino. It had fans questioning if the coach had the grit to lead the team to victory once more.
El Tri has lost momentum, even as Tata has shifted his coaching style from pure attack-style to something more reflective. The team is in single-score limbo leading up to Qatar, with the team itself admitting they aren’t at their best.
Martino’s overall win rate since taking over as head coach? An unconfident 50%. With gold on the line, fans are demanding more than a half-baked performance from their National team. Their solution is to give Martino the boot before he has the chance to prove them wrong.
Realistically, any change in coaching now before Qatar would be detrimental to the team. Replacing a coach just months before an important game could lead to confusion, simple gameplay, and a chaotic transition before the vital match.
Yet that doesn’t mean Tata is in the clear. Though he is likely safe from replacement before the Cup, a single mistake could be enough for a replacement. Even winning the gold may not convince fans that this 50/50 coach should stay onboard.
Fans are craving the return of a once strong and respected team. They want thrilling, multiple-goal matches, not awkward stalemates and disappointing fumbles. Yet is the voice of fans enough to sway the results, or will it fall on deaf ears?
Looking Forward
When cheering on your favorite sports team in a pivotal match, you want confidence in their fighting chance. How else are you supposed to earn bragging rights at the next family dinner? Yet El Tri’s fans have been frustrated and uncertain, not knowing if their team has what it takes to win a friendly, let alone the Gold Cup.
Though the reason for poor gameplay may not solely be Martino’s performance, he still bears the responsibility for every win and loss. Still, a change in head coach doesn’t guarantee a positive and immediate team improvement.
For now, it’s unlikely we will see any change in leadership before Qatar. Yet more than a gold cup hangs on the line for El Tri, as Martino’s position hangs in the balance. Fans will need a spectacular performance in the World Cup before trusting their team to Martino for another season.