Chivas Fire Coach Ricardo La Volpe Over Alleged Misconduct
Less than a month after his appointment, Ricardo Antonio La Volpe has been dismissed from his role as head coach of Chivas de Guadalajara following accusations of inappropriate conduct towards a female employee. The Mexican club announced the decision on Wednesday in a press conference marked by gravity and disappointment.
“This is the most painful and difficult press conference of my life. As of today, Ricardo La Volpe is no longer part of the Chivas club,” declared club owner Jorge Vergara. While he refrained from detailing the nature of the misconduct, Vergara described the incident as “very strong, very unpleasant,” underlining the seriousness of the matter.
According to Mexican newspaper El Universal, a formal complaint of sexual harassment has been filed, intensifying the scandal surrounding the 62-year-old Argentine coach. The incident has sent shockwaves through Mexican football, given La Volpe’s longstanding presence in the sport, including a stint as head coach of the Mexican national team.
La Volpe had only been in charge since April 2, stepping in after José Luis Real was relieved of his duties due to poor team performance. His tenure, however, was abruptly cut short by the controversy, tarnishing both his brief leadership at the club and his broader coaching legacy.
The club emphasized that it is treating the matter with the utmost seriousness, asserting its commitment to upholding ethical conduct and respect in the workplace. Chivas has yet to announce who will replace La Volpe on the sidelines.
As the investigation unfolds, the focus now turns to legal proceedings and potential consequences beyond football for the veteran coach. Meanwhile, Chivas supporters are left grappling with both a managerial void and a public relations crisis as the club attempts to move forward.
