The Italian Job

I was caught by surprise when Miguel Layun made an unexpected jump from Mexico's second division to Italy's Serie A. Not many people had heard of the youngster and much less was expected of him as a promising player.

Layun is back in Mexico after having played half a season with Atalanta. The former Veracruz player has now signed with America. The more I think of the transfer and how it went down the more I am convinced it was all part of his promoter, Carlos Hurtado, plan to raise the players value. Layun is only on loan but it remains to be seen wether he will return to Italy..

Macho Menos

Hugo Sanchez stint with Almeria has come to an end. I guess most people saw this comming as the Almeria directives had seen it fit to sell off it's top players and replace them with weak sauce.

The question I ask is why did'nt Hugo decide to leave that club at that point. He did have a choice. Granted, Hugo has claimed that he is up for a challange but by this point in his career he should have learned from his mistakes.

With the Mexican National Team Hugo claimed that he took the job as head coach despite being conditioned to take over the U-23 squad which failure to qualify to the Beijing Olympics ultimately cost him his post.

At Almeria Hugo had done a good job in his firs season to save the team from relegation. Once the directives told him of their plan to sell the top players and try to make it with the Youth squad well then Hugo should have packed his bags. I admire Hugo's determination but I feel that he is becoming a victim of his own perseverance.

The Song Remains the Same

"Es la misma canción y no puedo perder credibilidad con los futbolistas," Jose Luis Sanchez Sola told ESPN Radio show Raza Deportiva after Puebla players threatened to not paticipate in the upcoming Interliga tourney.

"No es cuestión de dinero, como tampoco es cuestión de tiempo. Nos hacen otra patraña; no tienen nombre. Quieren pagar sueldos hasta el 14 de enero, aunque todo estaba confirmado para pagar ayer. Es lo único que tengo para dar y me mantengo en esa línea porque no soy cómplice de esa decisión. No me presento a entrenar hasta que se solucione".

Y Ramoncito Que?

The treatment that Ramon Morales has been receiving as of late from Club Guadalajara is full of FAIL. Sure the player's time to leave the club has come but this could have been resolved in a better way. Morales deserves a better farewell and not be ushered through the back door.

Fracazul

This Cartoon is full of WIN. Terrazas does a great job of showing what is going through the minds of the Cruz Azul faithful who have suffered, at least, five straight championship defeats; from Interliga to League finals.

Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now

I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour
But heaven knows I'm miserable now

I was looking for a club, and then I found a club
And heaven knows I'm miserable now.. .

Aldo De Nigris

El Loco Bielsa

Reports from Chile have begun circulating a rumor that FMF officials have approached Marcelo "Loco" Bielsa and offered him the reigns of the Tricolor. Supposedly, Javier Aguirre has already told FMF that he will return to Europe after the World Cup is over and the Argentine is the prime candidate to take over the Mexican national team.

Charlize and Me

I do not remember much of previous World Cup draw's but South Africa's will be memorable if only because of Charlize Theron. There she was holding the balls that would predict Mexico's group outcome and for a moment I could care less who the Tricolor drew because we were in safe hands.

As for the group I must admitt I am excited that Mexico will open against the hosts and the weakest group rival. A draw and or win is very possible. France will be though and closing against Uruguay should be memorable.