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Victor Manuel Vucetich has been called King Midas. With an 11th title in 11 trips to a final, he unarguably has a touch for silverware if not gold.
Monterrey's 3-2 aggregate win over Santos - following Wednesday's 2-1 loss in the second leg of the finals, gave "Los Rayados" a second consecutive CONCACAF Champions League and only added to Vucetich's reputation as master tactician.
As manager of seven different clubs, Vucetich has won two Mexican second-division league titles, two Copa Mexico crowns, one InterLiga trophy, five Mexican first-division championships and now a second CONCACAF Champions League honor.
Typically modest, the 56- year-old who has coached 10 different teams overall was quick to credit his players for his success.
"Without a doubt, it's a blessing. I think that we are guided by God's hand," he said. "It's obvious teams don't win because of us (coaches), but because of the players.
"The key is to always work hard and to put together teams with a strong mentality and a constant desire to improve. But I think the credit is for the players. They are the ones who do the work on the field, the ones who make the sacrifices and show their skills. I think we put our grain of sand to get the best out of them, but after that, they do all the work."
Despite being one of Mexico's most successful coaches - a distinction that earned him top consideration for the Mexican national team position in 2010 before he removed himself from the process, Vucetich's remains a publicly humble man that considers all his laurels with equal recognition.
"I think that all have their special flavor," he said. "All have been tough games like today, where we were down, but the team knew that it had chances, it has the capacity and the personality. Thanks to God and the guys we achieved this championship."
Santos pressed from the outset and controlled much of the possession. A goal in first-half injury time by Daniel Ludena, and another from Oribe Peralta in the 51st had "Los Guerreros" on equal terms.
But a series of dramatic first-half saves by goalkeeper Jonthan Orozco frustrated Santos' enough that - having won the first leg at home 2-0 a week ago -- an 82nd-minute goal by Neri Cardozo was all Monterrey needed to claim the title.
"The virtue is that we are a perservering team, that never gives up, that always has a chance," Vucetich said. "We knew that we needed a goal. We did a good job in the first leg and we knew that we had a good chance in our favor and now we were able to capitalize."
Next for Vucetich is the Mexican Clausura playoffs, and then another trip in December to the Club World Cup in Japan, where Monterrey will look to dispel memories of its first-match elimination.
"For us it's a different tournament...it's not about a rematch," he said. "Last year was a good experience and now with that experience that we had last year in Japan. I think that we can arrive in better form and think about doing things differently."
