The Mexican Luis Fernando Tena assumed on Thursday as technical director of the Guatemala soccer team with the illusion of taking her to her first World in 2026.
The experienced 63-year-old strategist, who was appointed in November as technical director of the Central American team, you will have your first experience outside of Mexico.
“The objective is to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and that is what we focus our entire battery on. I am very happy to be here, I could have waited in Mexico for another opportunity, but when I was presented with the option of working for a national team that has the Illusion of going to a World Cup, my answer was automatic and I said yes, “said Tena after his presentation.
“We have a very clear objective, I am very happy to be here and hopefully it will be for a long time. By effort, professionalism and honesty we are not going to fail, we are very happy and with a great illusion of doing something important that brings great joy to the people Guatemalan, “he added.
In Mexico, Tena was champion with the Monarcas Morelia clubs in the Winter 2000 tournament and Blue Cross in Winter 1997.
As coach of the Mexican Under-23 team, Tena won the gold medal in the 2011 Pan American Games and in the 2012 olympics.
In addition to Cruz Azul and Monarcas Morelia, Tena has been a strategist for the Mexican clubs Bravos de Ciudad Juárez, Guadalajara, Querétaro, León, América, Jaguares de Chiapas, Santos Laguna and Estudiantes Tecos.
“Everyone’s dream is to go to a World Cup, but there are four years to go and we have to go step by step, we have to give the team an identity and the first thing we have to do is believe in ourselves. We have the enthusiasm, very good players and the illusion of going to a World Cup, “said Tena.
“We must have harmony in the dressing room, when the player arrives at the national team he has to arrive with disposition and joy,” he said.
Tena will begin his process at the helm of Guatemala on January 22 when the Central American team plays a friendly match against Canada.
“We have been reviewing the entire universe of players, which fortunately there are many, we have a lot of fabric to cut from, there are many good players in Guatemala,” said Tena ahead of his first call-up.
