Joel Huiqui explains how he built his Cruz Azul coaching staff with Victor Manuel Velazquez and Ivan Alonso

Putting together a coaching staff isn't just about resumes. It also means matching personalities, philosophies and even old working friendships. That's exactly what Joel Huiqui explained at a press conference when discussing how his group of assistants at Cruz Azul finally came together.

The coach said the selection wasn't something he decided on his own. He sat down with Victor Manuel Velazquez and Ivan Alonso to go over several candidates before settling on the final names: Facundo Oreja and Diego Bottaioli, both of whom had previously worked on Martin Anselmi's coaching staff, and Juan Jose Martinez, whom Huiqui already knew from before.

"Among the staff options we had, especially the choices to improve the coaching group, it wasn't just the ones who are here now. There were other options on the table, and in the end we decided to reach out to the coaching staff we have right now, the one that's here today. I'm talking about Diego, about 'Facu' and about Juan Jose," the coach explained.

That shakeup also meant a departure: Marco Calvillo is no longer part of the working group. Calvillo had been an important piece in Cruz Azul's run to its tenth title and later moved on to coach the Under-21 squad, a role from which he was also removed.

Huiqui was clear that the decision wasn't about personal preferences, but about what they consider best for the club.

This really isn't a project of Ivan Alonso's, or of Joel Huiqui's, or of Victor Velazquez's. It's a project that represents the institution, and it's a project we have to give real value to, and that's why we're building a team as complete as the one we have now.Joel Huiqui

A relationship forged in the youth ranks

Regarding his relationship with Ivan Alonso, the club's sporting director, Huiqui chose to stay cautious. The bond between the two goes back a long way, to when Huiqui himself was working in the Machine's lower divisions.

"We've tried to build a really complete working environment. I think that ever since he started the project, back when I was in other divisions, he's always been very good in that regard, and today we're working together, not just with the sporting direction, but always in communication with every department," he said.

The coach added that his relationship with Alonso, as well as with the club's other departments, remains cordial and professional.

Lira's exit opens the door for a reinforcement

The other topic that dominated the press conference was the future of Erik Lira. Huiqui acknowledged that his move to Monaco is practically on track, though a few details still need to be finalized in the negotiation.

With that departure on the horizon and several injuries already limiting his options in the squad, the coach didn't rule out entering the market before it closes.

"Right now we have a few players out, and that limits the squad a bit, the number of players who aren't available, because in a match you might have a fresher man available and a better chance to make a substitution. Today the possibility exists, obviously, the market hasn't closed yet, and we can evaluate it," Huiqui said, though he made clear his immediate priority is getting his injured players back before thinking about new additions.