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<SPAN class=art-title2>Hugo Sanchez: I want us to be world champions</SPAN> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="30%" align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
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<SPAN class=textblack11px_normal>Hugo Sanchez is looking to the future rather than at the past as he begins his tenure as coach of the Mexico national team.</SPAN><SPAN class=textblack11px_bold>(AFP)</SPAN> <SPAN class=textblack11px_bold>Alfredo Estrella
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(FIFA.com)</SPAN> <SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">27 Nov 2006</SPAN>
<SPAN class=art-text>The recent appointment of Hugo Sanchez as Mexico coach was the realisation of a long-held dream both for the man himself and millions of Mexicans. His country's greatest player, 'Hugol' has taken the reins of the national team with the clear aim of leading the Tricolor to glory at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. </SPAN><SPAN class=art-text>
The former Real Madrid star insists that if the country gets behind his team, there is no reason why they cannot achieve their ambitious goal. In an exclusive interview with FIFA.com, the new coach talks openly about his hopes and dreams for his beloved Mexico.
FIFA.com: Senor Sanchez, now that you are finally in charge of the national team, would it be fair to say that you have realised your dream?
Hugo Sanchez: Without a doubt. I always set myself goals, and I love to achieve them. As a player, I spent five years in Mexico, won the championship twice with Pumas and played for the national team. After that I headed off to Europe. Now that I'm in management, I'm following the same path all over again: I've spent the last five years coaching, won another two league titles with Pumas and now it's time to take the reins of the national team. Coaching in Europe will be the next step, but for now I'm fully focused on Mexico.
It is a good moment to be starting your tenure, what with the U-17s being world champions and an exciting new generation of players coming through.
It's not just a good moment in terms of football, the whole country is changing for the better - from politics and economics to mass communication. Mexico is a different place now. It's really opening up and getting a name for itself, and naturally you see that reflected in its football, which has been making steady progress in recent years.
In the past, Mexican football didn't have much contact with the outside world, but all that began to change in 1993 when we were invited to take part in the Copa America. Since then the trend has continued with the participation of our clubs in the Copa Libertadores, and that of the national team at the Confederations Cup, which we won in 1999. Then (last year) the U-17s were crowned world champions. Today, there are more of our players than ever making a name for themselves overseas, and that's excellent for our country.<TABLE id=IMGTAB height=150 cellSpacing=3 cellPadding=0 width=150 align=left summary="" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR id=TRCAP><TD vAlign=bottom align=left><SPAN class=textblack11px_normal>His eyes and arms towards the sky, his passion clearly visible, Hugo Sanchez is hoping to use his experience to guide Mexico to to glory at South Africa 2010.</SPAN></TD></TR><TR id=TRSOURCE><TD align=left><SPAN class=textblack11px_bold>(AFP)</SPAN></TD></TR><TR id=TRAUTHOR><TD align=left><SPAN class=textblack11px_bold>Juan Barreto</SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Speaking of the U-17s, could this be the moment for the most ambitious of them to make the step up to the senior team?
Their chance will come, but I'll have to monitor their progress first. To that end, we'll put a system in place to keep t
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