GUADALAJARA, Mexico – José Luis Sánchez Solá – better known as “El Chelís” – is back in the coaching world.
The former Chivas USA coach has returned to Liga MX club Puebla, where he first made his name and where current US international Michael Orozco plies his trade.
Chelís vowed that his players would give everything for the Puebla shirt in a press conference on Tuesday, and added that they wouldn’t be found wanting for effort in the club’s battle against relegation.
“We’re aiming for survival, we won’t defraud the people,” said Sánchez Solá, who also had a brief stint at Veracruz last season. “Us coaches have to win points and the coaching staff should obtain 50 percent of [the points] that remain and qualify for the cup [knock-out stages].”
Chelís swore that he would not resign and thanked the fans that had demanded his return in place of outgoing manager Rubén Omar Romano.
Sánchez Solá was hired at Chivas USA in December 2012 and left the following May in a mutual agreement with the then-ownership. In a twist of fate, Puebla will be fighting Chivas USA’s former sister club Chivas Guadalajara in the relegation battle in the Liga MX over coming months.
Former San Luís defender Orozco was a regular under Romano in his three-man backline, but Sánchez Solá is known for his flexibility in terms of formations and it remains to be seen where the 28-year-old will fit in.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
