MENDOZA, Argentina -- Mexico interim coach Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti wants to see Liga MX reduce the number of foreign players allowed in each squad in order to boost the Mexican national team's player pool in the future.
Ferretti will be taking charge of his final game in his temporary spell in charge on Tuesday in Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza and had a departing piece of advice to help the future coach.
Asked about the dearth of striking talent Mexico has at present, current Tigres coach Ferretti said El Tri's problem is more general.
"I'd say we have to focus on not just area or part of the team," said the 64-year-old in a news conference Monday. "I think we have to think about the whole. Analyzing in the three lines in Mexican teams, they are taken by foreign players.
"In my humble opinion, I think the number [of foreigners] per [Liga MX] squad is too much. I think we should reduce it to eight per squad maximum and in the future reduce it a little more."
Liga MX currently allows nine non-homegrown players per 18-player match day squad, but doesn't limit the amount of foreigners registered at each club.
Ferretti also suggested changes to the current rule to guarantee youngsters minutes -- each Liga MX team must field players born in 1998 or later for a minimum of 1,000 minutes for the season.
The rule changes could, according to Ferretti, "heighten the opportunities [for Mexicans] in all lines over two or three years."
Ferretti described himself as "tranquil" but not "satisfied" with his temporary spell in charge, with Mexico losing four of the five games.
The Brazilian reiterated that the reason he is not in the running to become head coach is his loyalty to Tigres, adding he is hoping to complete 10 years at the club by seeing out the two-and-a-half years left on his contract.
Ferretti also urged Liga MX clubs to come together to support the Mexican national team and indicated that at present there is not unanimous support for the national side from the clubs.
Mexico is expected to field a young side against Argentina in the second game of the international break against the same opposition. Mexico lost the first game in Cordoba 2-0 last Friday.