It did not take long for Hans Westerhof to land on his feet.
Just one week after being dismissed as coach of Chivas USA and the entire Chivas family altogether, Westerhof landed a familiar coaching job. Tuesday, Westerhof was named coach of Club Deportivo Guadalajara, which he coached for nearly two seasons in 2003 and 2004, according to Mexican news reports.
Westerhof traveled to Guadalajara last week. Sunday, Chivas sacked coach Javier Azcargorta after the Spaniard failed to take Chivas to the Mexican league playoffs. By Tuesday, rumors were swirling in the Mexican media that Westerhof would not only rejoin the club he took to the Clausura 2004 final but do so as coach.
Media reports had surfaced with apparent interest by Chivas in Hugo Sanchez. The former Dallas Burn player was sacked by Pumas earlier in the season and reportedly had discussions with Chivas officials. However, he was out of the running early this week and Westerhof was brought back into the Chivas family.
"We were discussing the attributes we wanted in our next coach for the upcoming Clausura 2006 season and we believe Hans has a lot of those qualities that we desire and he helped Guadalajara reach the final," Chivas CEO Juan Jose Frangie told sportsya.com.
Westerhof took over the Chivas USA coaching position in June after then-coach Thomas Rongen was stripped of his coaching duties and bumped upstairs. Westerhof won just three games as Chivas USA boss. After the season, both Westerhof and club co-owner and president Antonio Cué said that Westerhof would likely be back. The two had a strong difference of opinion weeks after the regular season ended and it ultimately resulted in Westerhof leaving MLS.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
