If Mexico make it back to the World Cup next summer, they’ll do it without Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre calling the shots.
The Mexican Football Federation announced Saturday that it has relieved de la Torre of his coaching duties amid a rough run of play in World Cup qualifying, punctuated by a 2-1 loss to Honduras at Estadio Azteca on Friday night.
Luis Fernando Tena will handle the team on an interim basis. The federation is expected to hold a press conference to announce the move on Saturday.
Mexico currently sit in fourth place in the six-team CONCACAF group and outside the top three which qualify automatically for Brazil 2014. The fourth-placed team will go into a playoff against Oceania champion New Zealand.
Mexico return to action on Tuesday night against the United States in Columbus, Ohio (8 pm ET, ESPN).
