Vicente Sanchez, the head coach of Cruz Azul, celebrated the team’s impressive 5-0 win over the White Caps in Vancouver, securing the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup and reflecting on the club’s future in La Liga MX.
Sanchez stepped in as interim manager during the 2025 La Liga MX Claus Tournament in February, following Martin Anselmi’s abrupt departure to FC Porto. He guided the team to a third-place finish in the La Liga MX standings with 33 points, boasting a 9-6-2 (WDL) record, and led them to the semi-finals before clinching the CCC trophy.
“The statistics speak for themselves,” he remarked. “I have faith that God placed me in this position, and I’m thankful for the support from the fans. I live for the moment and can’t predict the future.
“This isn’t a decision I can make alone. There are many positives. When I took over, we only had one point and were in last place.”
Sanchez also expressed gratitude towards club president Victor Velazquez for trusting him with the team’s leadership.
Sanchez added, “I’m thankful to Velázquez for believing in me. We responded well by securing this title. I’m thrilled with the hard work our team has put in, and today, we brought the trophy home to Cruz Azul.”
In light of the uncertainty around his future, club captain Ignaciolibero affirmed the players’ support for Sanchez.
“His presence as coach means a lot to us all,” Libero stated. “I can’t dictate future decisions, but we’re all quite happy with him.”
Teammate Lorenzo Faravelli echoed these sentiments, saying, “We stood by Vicente on the field.”
Cruz Azul claimed its seventh Concacaf Champions Cup, making them the most successful team in the competition’s history, and it marked their first title win since the 2013-14 season.
Fan Take: This victory is significant for soccer fans as it not only revives Cruz Azul’s legacy in the CONCACAF Champions Cup but also showcases the potential of interim coaches to achieve extraordinary results. This triumph could inspire other clubs to invest in their homegrown talents, igniting a new era in the sport.
