Club America's centennial celebration is not going at all to plan with the team coming off a bad loss and sitting sixth in the Liga MX table. To attempt to turn around the situation, Las Aguilas' hierarchy fired head coach Ignacio Ambriz after Saturday's 2-0 loss in Estadio Azteca to Leon.
Two goals from Argentine Mauro Boselli sealed the victory for La Fiera and there was no escape for Ambriz after a disappointing display from Club America, which celebrates 100 years of existence on Oct. 12.
"Shameful performance from Club America," wrote club legend and ESPN analyst Zague on Twitter. "You can't play in front of your fans in the Azteca like that; [it was] an indifferent, cold team without an idea."
The pressure on Ambriz was already intense after the Liga MX giant, which has won more leagues titles than any other club, was rolled over 3-0 against archrival Chivas back on Aug. 27, a painful defeat in the country's most important club rivalry. This Apertura the team has leaked a total of 17 goals in nine games and problems of on-field indiscipline were a constant in Ambriz's reign.
"Nacho" Ambriz wasn't a popular hiring back in May 2015, when he was announced as Gustavo Matosas' replacement. But the former Mexico international will point out that the team is currently in sixth position in the Apertura table -- level on points with Chivas -- and that he had a 60.3 percent win ratio over his 69 games in charge of America. There was also the CONCACAF Champions League title earlier this year, as well as the series win over Chivas in the quarterfinal of the Clausura 2016.
But Ambriz never really inspired the fanbase as Club America coach, with the disastrous loss to Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande at the Club World Cup last winter not helping.
"Fuera Ambriz" was the cry from the fans at the end of the game against Leon and if those same voices were consulted about who should replace Ambriz, the most popular name would almost certainly be Miguel "Piojo" Herrera.
Herrera is currently enjoying a resurrection at Club Tijuana after his time with the Mexican national team was cut short, but it is unlikely he'd ditch Xolos mid-season, even if the pull of Club America would be very tempting for a manager who hasn't hidden his desire to return to the team he once managed.
Herrera would bring back the bold and headline-making personality that Ambriz perhaps lacked at a club that demands attention.
ESPN Mexico reported that America's sporting director Ricardo Pelaez contacted former Mexico coach Javier Aguirre two weeks ago to see if he would be interested in taking over, but "El Vasco" rejected the approach because he is content at Al-Wahda in United Arab Emirates.
Another Middle Eastern based coach has also been mentioned, with one story suggesting former Santos Laguna manager Pedro Caixinha would be keen to return to Mexico to take on the challenge at Club America.
Argentina World Cup winner Daniel Passarella has also been reported as being in the mix for the job, although the 63-year-old is wrapped up in legal problems at present in his native country.
The other options have all already had the Club America job.
Las Aguilas legend Carlos Reinoso seems to have thrown his hat into the mix to take over the club for the fourth time. ESPN's John Sutcliffe is reporting that it would be no surprise if Ruben Omar Romano was named America's new head coach, despite his record at the club in the Clausura 2008 bringing eight defeats and one draw from nine matches.
Other former coaches like Juan Antonio Luna and Manuel Lapuente have been mentioned in what is an attractive position, considering the team is only five points from the top of the Liga MX table, has a strong squad and will be playing at the Club World Cup in December.