Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 4y

Legendary Mexico coach Ignacio Trelles dies aged 103

MEXICO CITY -- Legendary Mexico head coach Ignacio Trelles died on Tuesday evening at the age of 103, Liga MX club Cruz Azul confirmed on Wednesday morning. The cause of death was a heart attack, according to ESPN's Heriberto Murrieta.

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Trelles' funeral will be held in private due to the coronavirus pandemic, Cruz Azul stated on social networks.

Trelles was one of the dominant figures in Mexican soccer in the 20th century, starting his coaching career with Zacatepec in 1950 and going on to lift seven first division titles, including back-to-back championships with Cruz Azul in 1979 and 1980.

Trelles won a total of 17 trophies over his long coaching career and managed Mexico at the 1958, 1962 and 1966 World Cups, with El Tri recording its first ever World Cup win in 1962 against Czechoslovakia, who ended up finishing that tournament as runner-up.

The Guadalajara born Trelles coached Mexico on a total of 106 occasions.

"The Mexican football federation [FMF] laments the departure of Ignacio Trelles Campos, a Mexican football legend as a player and coach," read a statement from the FMF. "He won more titles in Liga MX [than anyone else] and has managed the most games with the Mexican national team."

Only Tigres manager Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti has coached more games in Mexico's top division than Trelles.

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