Newly appointed Mexico head coach Rafael Marquez hopes to take nation to new heights

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/marquez-rafael/OKGkmvNG/"]Marquez[/a] told reporters at his official presentation that he hoped to achieve ‌from the bench what he could not as a ‌player.[/p][p][b]"It did not happen for me as a player in those five ‌World Cups; unfortunately, we always reached the same point," [/b]Marquez ‌said. "[b]Today, I have this opportunity."[/b][/p][p]The former defender represented his country at the 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cups. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mexico/O6iHcNkd/"]Mexico[/a] were eliminated in the ‌round of 16 at each of those ⁠tournaments.[/p][p]Marquez, who enjoyed a distinguished ‌club career with AS Monaco and Barcelona, winning four LaLiga titles and ​two Champions League crowns at the Spanish club, said his immediate task was to build on the foundations laid ​by former coach [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/aguirre-javier/2gjul1lr/"]Javier Aguirre[/a] rather than start from scratch.[/p][p][b]"The way I finished working with Javier gives me a great deal of ⁠confidence to continue this ​process. I know the players quite well, I know the environment,"[/b] he said.[/p][embed guid="50e918a4-bb66-44f0-9878-94da32c1ddaa" url="https://x.com/miseleccionmx/status/2098161376833257941" social-type="twitter" /][p]Marquez served on Aguirre's coaching staff at the most recent World Cup, which was co-hosted by Mexico and was the first ‌to feature 48 teams.[/p][p]The country ended a 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout victory by beating [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ecuador/8tbm8Tri/"]Ecuador[/a] 2-0 in the last 32 at the Azteca Stadium in June, reaching the round of 16, and Marquez said that his familiarity with the squad and the national-team environment would be key to advancing further.[/p][p]He added his priority would be to establish a competitive identity and a closer connection with supporters.[/p][p][b]"We want people to feel proud of ‌their national team, to be happy to see a team that ​gives everything and represents them well," [/b]Marquez said.[b] "We want to ‌compete at all times, regardless of the opponent."[/b][/p][p]Marquez will take charge for the first time against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/colombia/G02s4PCS/"]Colombia[/a] [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/colombia-G02s4PCS/mexico-O6iHcNkd/?mid=vVWz7Ajm"]in Baltimore on September 26[/a], before Mexico continue their four-match tour against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/peru/Uend67D3/"]Peru[/a] in New Jersey three days later.[/p][p]They will also face the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/usa/fuitL4CF/"]⁠United States[/a] in Glendale, Arizona, ⁠on October 3, before ‌facing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chile/KUCG35cM/"]Chile[/a] in Los Angeles three days later.[/p]