Mexico's Club Tijuana named Cesar Farias (pictured) as head coach on December 3, 2013. (Photo: Mexsport)
TIJUANA, Mexico – Club Tijuana named Cesar Farias as its new head coach on Tuesday, replacing Jorge Almiron, who was let go after only five months in the position.
Farias’ appointment is seen as crucial in the club’s continued development. Since its founding nearly seven years ago, Tijuana has won a Mexican title (2012 Apertura), advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2013 Copa Libertadores before falling to eventual champion Atletico Mineiro and will face the LA Galaxy in the quarterfinals of the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League.
"Club Tijuana is prepared for the big challenges,” said Farias. “Its passion has always been important in the growth of the team and we join in this objective.”
The Venezuelan managed his country’s national team from December 2007 until resigning over the weekend. Over those years, the 40-year-old highlighted the rise of football in the South American nation by achieving some exceptional results.
On June 6, 2008, Venezuela defeated Brazil for a first-ever time, 2-0, in a friendly at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA. Three years later, he guided the Vinotino to a fourth-place finish at the Copa America, its best-ever placement in the competition.
At the youth level, Farias directed Venezuela to its first appearance in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, qualifying for the 2009 tournament in Egypt. There, it topped Nigeria and Tahiti to reach the Round of 16, where it narrowly fell to the United Arab Emirates, 2-1.
Venezuela completed the qualifying campaign for Brazil 2014 in October with a 1-1 draw against Paraguay, finishing in sixth place, five points behind a possible playoff place.
After missing out on 2013 Liga MX Apertura playoffs and realizing that a spot in at the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup is there to be earned, success in the Champions League is a priority for Tijuana.
“To be able to play and to dispute qualification for a Club World Cup is something that catches the eye and we do not hesitate to be able to take it,” expressed Farias. “It is a challenge is raised by the President of the Club and his work group. We take it as our own from this moment.”
Tijuana starts pre-season training on December 6.
