Atlas name Benjamin Mora as new head coach

Atlas FC has named Benjamin Mora as the new head coach, replacing Diego Cocca.

Mora joins from Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta’zim, where he’s seen incredible success by winning nine Super League trophies and four Asian Champions League titles. The new manager also worked as an assistant coach in Liga MX, before jetting off to Malaysia.

But despite the pressure of the Mexican league and living up to Cocca’s legacy, breaking a 70 year trophy drought with back-to-back championships, Atlas president Jose Riestra insists Mora is the right choice for the job.

"We have been monitoring Benjamin’s work for a long time. We have seen its growth and development, first from a distance and in recent days analyzing all situations. We concluded that he is the ideal person today to lead this process, not only because of his football knowledge, but because we share the same goal. We share a very clear idea which is to win by serving. It comes from having been very successful in Malaysia," explained Riestra.

"Of course it is a risky decision, but I think that in football there is no decision that guarantees you anything. What does guarantee you is the work, it is the process, it is the infrastructure and, as a consequence, the results come. This is what the group has shown over 16 years, this is how Benjamin has shown it in his last years in Malaysia. We are convinced that if we all work hand in hand, the results will come."

Now, Mora is devoted to reaching success with Atlas.

"It was not easy at all, never in my life had I been interviewed so much, Grupo Orlegi dedicated itself to doing a scrutiny. I always had a very big dream of returning to my country to lead... today my heart is red and black, my mind is red and black Surprised to have this opportunity in Mexico. I appreciate the confidence. I know the challenge of sitting on the Atlas bench."

The Red and Black saw a disappointing 2022 Liga MX Apertura campaign, concluding in 17th with just 13 points in 17 games after setting expectations high. The team failed to qualify for the playoffs, entering the offseason before a scheduled return of November 14 to begin preparing for the 2023 Liga MX Clausura.