CD Chivas de Guadalajara has cut ties with coach John Van’t Schip and hired former coach Benjamin Galindo. The club announced their decision on Thursday releasing the Dutchman who was brought in during Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff’s tenure as team assessor.
“I’m happy for the experience, but it was a club decision,” Van’t Schip said. “Those are problems that Chivas has had for many years. Now I must move on, I will thank all the people who are close to the club.”
Van’t Schip took the Guadalajara club to a 6 win, 5 draw, and 6 loss regular season record. Chivas lost both their playoff quarterfinal games to Toluca FC. In CONCACAF Champions League el Rebaño Sagrado was eliminated in the group stage with a 2 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss record. This allowed Guatemalan team CD Xelaju to advance to the next round, making it the first time a Mexican team does not move on to the next phase since the new format was implemented.
The team decided to cut ties with Van’t Schip one month after they released Cruyff from his contract.
Galindo returns to Chivas helm
Former Club Santos Laguna coach Benjamin Galindo was hired as head coach of Chivas Thursday after the club released Dutchman John Van’t Schip. Galindo arrives from Santos, club that released him at the end of the season when he failed to take the team into the playoffs.
Galindo had guided Santos to the Clausura 2012 title one tournament before which earned them a spot in the groups’ stage of the CONCACAF Champions League. Santos advanced to the quarterfinals of the competition with four wins in as many games, outscoring their opponents 13-1.
Galindo had previously coached Chivas between 2004 and 2005.
“It’s an honor to return home,” Galindo said. “I’m facing a new challenge. Over time I have gained experience at other teams. I’m happy for the new challenge and ready to join one of the best clubs in Mexico.”
Galindo gets his first opportunity at the helm of his new club on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013 when Chivas faces Toluca FC in week 1 of the Clausura 2013 of La Liga MX.
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