Chosen by Atlético-MG to replace coach Cuca, who chose to leave the club at the end of the Brazilian Championship, Argentine Antonio “El Turco” Mohamed, 51, has in his luggage a collection as – or even wider – of historical stories as of its predecessor.
A former striker with 11 clubs in Argentina and Mexico, as well as his own national team, Mohamed is hated by Boca Juniors fans. He was never forgiven for missing a goal against Huracán, his favorite team, in 1991.
On the occasion, after receiving a pass inside the area, he hesitated facing the goalkeeper. In an attempt to pass the ball to Diego Latorre, he ended up being disarmed by rivals.
El Turco denies in all interviews that the mistake was intentional. But he had to leave La Bombonera stadium inside the trunk of Boca vice president Carlos Heller.
“It’s like when you don’t want to hit your child. You get a little out of control,” he says in an excerpt from his official biography, written by journalist Leonardo Sánchez.
The relationship of the new Atletico coach with Huracán is called an example of loyalty on the part of Argentines. She was directly influenced by her father and fostered by an unconditional love uncommon in professional athletes.
As a player, Mohamed scored the goal that ensured the team won the Argentine second division, in 1990, over Los Andes.
Years later, in 2007, already as a coach, he led the team once again to the first division. The context was even more dramatic, as months earlier he had lost Farid, his nine-year-old son, in a car accident in Germany.
Employees still vividly remember the scene of El Turco arriving at the La Quemita training center with visible mobility difficulties. Supported by crutches, he appeared to fulfill one of the promises he had made to the boy, to take Huracán to the elite of Argentine football.
“I rebelled against God,” he admitted in several interviews.
The fulfillment of the second promise would take place in 2019, when he worked as a coach for Monterrey, another team of his son’s declared fans. Holding a third used by Farid, the coach cried copiously on the bench after the Mexicano’s title.
The relationship with Huracán can still gain more chapters. In 2015, shortly before the Copa Sudamericana decision, lost to Santa Fe, he made clear his intention to return as manager.
“I want to be president of Huracán. It’s a dream ten years from now. I’m getting ready,” he told the daily El Graphic.
Another well-known story was played alongside Diego Simeone, former midfielder and current coach of Atlético de Madrid. They missed the training schedule for the under-23 team and, without money for the bus, ran five kilometers to the place where the activity had already ended. Upon seeing the scene, historic coach Carlos Bilardo called the duo to train with the main team.
“He is an extravagant type, but a great person and a great friend. As a player, he was extraordinary. He is also a great coach, who likes his teams to play great football. hired a great coach, but, above all, a great human being”, he told leaf coach Miguel Herrera, ex-commander of the Mexican national team, currently at Tigres.
Another curious story involves its weight. He admitted to having tampered with a scale — removing one of its screws — so as not to see his extra kilos accused during a preseason. He ended his attacking career in 2003.
As a player, he also showed irreverence, being one of the forerunners to wear a tiara in his hair, a samurai bun and colorful gymnastics tights under his shorts. At the end of his career, it was common to see him with dyed hair.
“He is a coach who tends to have chemistry with his players. It will be essential to generate empathy with the team from the beginning to achieve his goals”, explains biographer Leandro Sánchez.
As a coach, he has a long curriculum. Among the main achievements are the conquest of the 2010 Sudamericana, with Independiente, and multiple triumphs in the Mexican Championship and in the Mexican Cup.
Mohamed already crossed the path of Atlético-MG in 2013, in a remarkable game of the alvinegra team on the way to winning the Copa Libertadores. At the time, Tijuana was eliminated, in a game always remembered by Victor’s penalty save in the final minutes of the duel.
Now, like Cuca, he hopes to show that he’s not just good at stories. For him, “the player is above the system”. Thus, the Argentine is able to adjust to the style left by the victorious Brazilian predecessor.
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