This Wednesday, May 24, ESPN reporter David Faitelson reported that Hugo Sanchez will be offered the managerial position at the new San Diego MLS team.

“I have information that the new San Diego MLS club, who will begin play in 2025, is planning to offer the managerial job to Hugo Sanchez,” Faitelson said.

Faitelson is one of the most respected and longest-tenured reporters in Mexican soccer, as this report comes from a source with plenty of credibility. It is also worth noting that Faitelson and Hugo Sanchez are close friends, as they work together on ESPN’s premier soccer TV show in Mexico, “Futbol Picante.”

Tengo información de que el nuevo club de futbol de la MLS en San Diego, que comenzará a jugar en el 2025, planea ofrecerle la dirección técnica a Hugo Sánchez…

— David Faitelson (@Faitelson_ESPN) May 24, 2023

Hugo Sanchez is certainly an odd fit for the San Diego team, as he has not managed a professional team since 2012. Sanchez was a world-class player, as he is considered one of the best strikers in Real Madrid’s history and is arguably the best Mexican soccer player of all time.

The Mexico City native began his playing career at Pumas UNAM in the Mexican League, where he was a top scorer and came away with two league titles. During his time at Pumas, he was loaned out to the San Diego Sockers, who played outdoor soccer at the time in the North American Soccer League. Sanchez was a star with the Sockers and then made his big move to Atletico de Madrid in 1981.

In 1985 “Hugol” made his career move to Real Madrid, and the rest is history, as he is cemented as one of the best forwards to step on a pitch. However, his managerial career has not been as successful, managing five different teams from 2000 to 2012.

Sanchez’s most successful managerial stint came with his beloved Pumas UNAM, where he won two league titles in the Clausura 2004 and Apertura 2004 seasons. The legendary player received an opportunity to be the Mexico national team manager in 2006, but he did not live up to the expectations. His tenure with Mexico will always be remembered for his failure to qualify for the Olympic Games in 2008, that ultimately cost him his job.

In 2009, Sanchez had a successful short-lived stint with Spanish club Almeria, where he saved the team from relegation. After three years of not managing, Sanchez took a job with Liga MX’s Pachuca in 2012, where he lasted less than half a year.

Sanchez has not had a managerial position since then, and it is a very risky move for an MLS team just coming into the league. The former Real Madrid star is characterized by his fiery personality and his ability to inspire confidence within a squad. However, it is a mystery as to how he will perform after 13 years without a managerial position in any professional league.

Francisco Velasco

Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.