Chivas USA hires Jose Luis Sanchez "Chelis" Sola

After months of speculation, Chivas USA has finally filled its head coaching vacancy.

The Goats hired Jose Luis Sanchez Sola, affectionately known in Mexico as "Chelis". Sola comes to Los Angeles with six years of experience from Mexico's top flight, with his previous stops at Puebla and Estudiantes. Sanchez Sola succeeds Robin Frasier who was fired after having a disappointing two seasons at the club, finishing with a 11-14-20 record.

Sanchez Sola is excited to have an opportunity to coach in Major League Soccer.

“Very honored, very grateful and committed to fulfill the goals of the institution,” said Sanchez Sola in a statement. “I know that with the support of the staff currently in place, my transition into MLS will be that much easier. We are going to take on this new challenge with lots of energy and aspirations.

"We are going to try to implement a more appealing style of soccer for our fans, without forgetting that we are a team that plays in the United States. We will look to appeal to both cultures while obtaining positive results for the club. I feel that Chivas USA, at some point, lost that flavor and technique with the ball that is emphasized in Mexico and Latin-America. We must re-establish that part and combine it with the MLS’ style of play.”

During the 2006-2007 seasons in Mexico, Sanchez Sola served as head coach of Puebla FC, competing in Mexico’s Primera A (Second Division), and led the club to ascend to Mexico’s Primera Division. During his time as head coach of Puebla from 2006-2010, “El Chelis” led the Camoteros to a semifinal (Clausura 2009) and later to a quarterfinal (Apertura 2009).
 
After moving on from Puebla, Sanchez Sola served as head coach of Estudiantes de la UAG in the 2011 Clausura season, as well as Correcaminos UAT in 2012. The newly-appointed head coach of the Rojiblancos will take the reins of the squad immediately and will work with the rest of the coaching staff ahead of the MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 17 and the 2013 MLS season.

Chivas USA's top executive hopes that the 53-year-old will succeed in turning things around.

“The arrival of Jose Luis Sanchez Sola marks the beginning of our organization’s new journey,” said Chivas USA President and CBO Jose David in a statement. “The owners of the club, Jorge Vergara and Angelica Fuentes, continue working toward giving Chivas USA fans the experience and results needed to have a successful team in MLS. ‘El Chelis’ is a great motivator. He knows the culture of Chivas and will be an important piece in re-establishing the identity of the organization.”

GOAL.COM on Twitter