Bomb in Atlas: PRODI Group rejects Zubizarreta's first option and goes for "cartel" technicians
After the departure of Diego Cocca, Andoni Zubizarreta is already working on the new Rojinegro helmsman with his sights set abroad.
After the confusing departure of Argentine coach Diego Cocca from Atlas, the red and black board began reconstruction.
Through its new sports director, the Spanish Andoni Zubizarreta, the club has the firm task of bringing in a high-level international strategist. After the first option fell, all guns are pointing to two historic players in world football: Javier Mascherano and Hernán Crespo.
The unexpected turn of Grupo PRODI in the negotiations
In the first instance, Zubizarreta had thought about betting on the young Spanish coach Martí Cifuentes (44 years old), a profile that the former goalkeeper of the Spanish team knows perfectly and who came to the athletics organization backed by the new owners of Grupo PRODI.
However, plans changed drastically in the last work meetings. The leader of Grupo PRODI, José Miguel Bejos, gave the order to bet on a helmsman with much more influence than the young Spaniard. Given the notable absence of prominent figures in the Mexican national market, the board turned its gaze towards South America.Hernán Crespo and Javier Mascherano: The luxury candidates
Both Crespo and Mascherano are in the first row of options to join the Zorros project, backed by their brilliant careers as players and their recent successes on the bench. Hernán Crespo's international record
Crespo is a coach with proven experience and titles in both South America and Asia. His cover letter includes: Copa Sudamericana (2020): Champion with Defensa y Justicia. Paulista Championship (2021): Champion with São Paulo FC. Qatar League (2022-23): Champion with Al-Duhail SC. Domestic cups in Qatar (2022-23): Winner of the Star Cup and the League Cup with Al-Duhail SC.The present of Javier Mascherano after triumphing in the MLS
For his part, 'Jefecito' Mascherano arrives with very high bonuses. After coaching Argentina's U-20 and U-23 youth teams, he made the big leap to the clubs with Inter Miami in early 2025. In the United States, he won the MLS Cup and set an all-time record for goals in the league before resigning for personal reasons in April 2026.
What will happen to Martí Cifuentes?
Despite losing the race for the first team, the name of Martí Cifuentes does not completely leave the Zorros' orbit. The Spanish strategist is still considered by the board, but now to join the training structure and technical direction of the basic forces. This position became vacant after the departure of Antonio Solana, who resigned from his position for personal reasons shortly before the dismissal of Diego Cocca.