Mexico interviews De la Torre for coach job

MEXICO CITY (AP)—A top official of the Mexico Football Federation says it has a “clear position” on who should be the new national team coach, but a decision will not be announced until later this month.

Decio De Maria, secretary general of the federation, said Thursday that Toluca coach Jose Manuel De la Torre had been interviewed.

Victor Manuel Vucetich, coach of Mexican club Monterrey, said he had also been interviewed. De Maria said they were the only two candidates.

Mexico is expected to announce a replacement for Javier Aguirre on Oct. 18. Aguirre resigned shortly after Mexico was ousted from the second round of the World Cup by Argentina.

“Today we can say we have a clear position,” De Maria said. He said the decision of federation administrators would be conveyed to members of the federation’s selection committee.

“There is a decision, but now is not the time of reveal it,” De Maria added.

Vucetich was interviewed on Tuesday and said afterward he had been offered the job. He did not say he had signed a contract or been offered one.

De la Torre was not quite as forthcoming after being interviewed on Thursday.

“He (Vucetich) is not my opponent,” De la Torre said. “He is a candidate as perhaps we all are. I don’t see him as my opponent. I’m very happy at Toluca, but this job would offer a different status.”