Ignacio Ambriz (pictured) was introduced as Club America's head coach on May 26, 2015, in Mexico City. (Photo: Mexsport)
MEXICO CITY – Club America officially presented Ignacio Ambriz as its new head coach at a press conference on Tuesday.
The 50-year-old replaces Gustavo Matosas, who was relieved of his duties on May 19 just weeks after leading the Aguilas to the 2014/15 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League (SCCL) title.
"I am ready,” said Ambriz, a former Mexico international defender. “The dream that I have, nobody can take away from me. I'm very relaxed. I come to work, doing so with humility and work. I have the hope that America can give me a chance to be champion."
Ambriz enjoyed a long career that started and ended with Mexican side Necaxa, but included multiple stops in between. He achieved most of his success with the Rayos, winning two Mexican league crowns (1994/95, 1995/96) and the CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup (1994). He was also part of the squad that overcame Spanish giant Real Madrid on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw in the match for third place at the 2000 FIFA Club World Cup.
As a standout player with Mexico, Ambriz won a CONCACAF Gold Cup (1993) and finished as runner-up in a Copa America (1993), while also playing in a World Cup (1994) and a Confederations Cup (1995).
He has previous head coaching experience with Puebla (2003), San Luis 2010-11), Guadalajara (2012) and Queretaro (2013-15).
In second half of the year, Club America is slated to compete in the 2015 Apertura, the 2015/16 SCCL and the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup.
Just five months into his tenure as head coach, Matosas and the six-time CONCACAF champion parted ways. The Aguilas had won the SCCL in April and finished level with Tigres atop the final 2015 Clausura regular-season table. Their bid to repeat as Mexican champion, though, was ended at the quarterfinal stage by Pachuca (agg: 7-5).
