Rumour: Benjamin Mora Linked To Chivas Post

Benjamin Mora’s initial success on Canadian soil has put his name as a firm candidate back in Mexico’s top flight.

Club Deportivo Guadalajara – who share no love for Mora’s former side Atlas – just confirmed the departure of head coach Fernando Gago, with Boca Juniors expected to land their Argentine gaffer.

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According to AS Mexico, Benjamin Mora has cracked the shortlist to replace Gago at Guadalajara. The Liga MX side states that a new head coach announcement will be made shortly.

Given Chivas’ rumoured interest in Mora, York United fans will be watching closely what comes next, particularly with York United remaining mum on the subject.

“The club doesn’t comment on speculation,” came a brief response from YUFC. “Our focus is on a crucial game tonight and continuing a superb and history-making season under Benjamin.”

Mora has proven to be a force to be reckoned with York United, who are on a club-record 39 point campaign and have already locked in a playoff spot. They’re mathematically within reach of second place, but are guaranteed at least the fourth of five available playoff spots.

Mora has made it no secret that he’ll be back to Liga MX pastures in the future. Speaking with that same outlet over the summer, he said that it never clouded his mind that he’ll be back with a clear ambition to win the league.

“I love the Mexican League because it demands a lot from you. The media, the management, and the fans demand immediate results and obviously push you to expand and constantly be better,” he said in July. “We will come back at some point. […] we will come back with a good project when things work out.”

York United have two matches remaining in the regular season, after which the club will enjoy its first-ever home playoff match. Success in postseason could land the club its first domestic trophy and book them a ticket in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

“I don’t know how many games we’re going to win, or if we have the opportunity to go forward in the playoffs – that’s what we’re going to try do to, but of course we will be very competitive and make it very uncomfortable for the teams,” said Mora on York United’s posteason.

“That’s my objective, to do what we can with what we have. The players are very focused.”

The Mexican head coach has been in charge of the Nine Stripes since June, taking home a CPL Manager of the Month after going undefeated in July. He’s tallied 1.61 points per game since being hired by the Pasquel brothers, who sacked Martin Nash due to philosophical differences.

Mora is York United’s third head coach after Jim Brennan and the aforementioned Nash, making history as their first international head coach hire.

The York United man’s last foray in Liga MX came through a year-long stint with Atlas. He left the side in thirteenth place last October, a position they would did improve from by that season’s end.

Before his return to Mexico came a strong coaching stint in Malaysia, where he picked up Malaysian Super League honours and multiple Charity Shields during two stints in charge of Johor Darul Ta’zim II. Under his guidance, the club made history as the first Malaysian team to reach the AFC Champions League Round of 16 back in 2022.

He’s also coached the Tijuana reserves and had assisted both Queretaro and Atlante before leading lower division side Atletico Chiapas.

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It’s clear that the call to a club like Chivas – who coincidentally had a look at CPL opposition in continental play earlier this year – would be a big draw for any coach in Canada’s top flight. It’s unclear how Mora’s contract with York United is structured, though for the moment he’ll need to remain focused on guiding the club through the end of the Canadian Premier League’s regular season and, subsequently, their third-ever playoff push.