Following a disastrous 3-1 loss in Honduras, Mexico have sacked manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.
The Swede manager had guided Mexico to just three of a possible nine points in the Hexagonal, and had barely gotten Mexico into the semifinal phase to begin with.
An immediate successor has not been named, but reports have placed former Tri and Atletico Madrid manager Javier Aguirre and Toluca boss Jose Manuel "Chepo" De La Torre as the frontrunners for the now-vacant post.
"The decision was made because we cannot put at risk Mexico's participation in the World Cup," Mexican Football Federation President Justino Compean said. "We could rely on having to win all of our home games just to qualify for the World Cup."
Eriksson's results on the road were dreadful. In the semifinal phase of qualifying, Mexico lost two of three road games and tied another. The Hexagonal round started off with a 2-0 loss at the United States. Following a 2-0 win over Costa Rica, it seemed the tables had turned in Mexico's favor, but a 3-1 rout in Honduras was the final straw.
Mexico's next qualifier will be on June 6 in El Salvador followed by a June 10 home fixture against Trinidad & Tobago. After the Gold Cup, which will be held in July, Mexico will resume qualifying on Aug. 12 against the United States.
Before joining Mexico, Eriksson had managed Manchester City. Prior to that, he led England to a pair of World Cups and twice guided England to the quarterfinals.
Eriksson's overall record with Mexico finished at 6-6-1.
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