Mexico Gold Cup coach Lozano wants dream stay after trophy - ESPN

Mexico interim manager Jaime «Jimmy» Lozano said it would be a «dream» to maintain his position with the national team after helping it claim a title in the 2023 Gold Cup with a thrilling 1-0 win over Panama in the final at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

Substitute Santiago Gimenez scored a late winner to push Mexico past a resilient Panama side and lift a Concacaf record ninth Gold Cup title after Lozano's side conceded just two goal in the entire tournament.

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«With these results, they open opportunities,» Lozano said after the match. «Obviously, I would like to be here. Obviously, it would be a dream to lead my national team in a World Cup, and even more in a World Cup where we'll be the home side.

»If it's my turn, it's a dream, it's a dream. What I'm experiencing now [as interim] is a dream."

Lozano, hired just days before the start of the Gold Cup, replaced former coach Diego Cocca, who was fired after an embarrassing 3-0 loss to the United States in June's Nations League Finals.

With Lozano in charge, Mexico charged through the Gold Cup with a four wins and one loss to Qatar after already clinching passage to the knockouts. Panama made things difficult in a tight championship match, but following a late surge in the second half from El Tri, substitute Gimenez scored the game-winner in the 85th minute.

Despite his Gold Cup success, Lozano noted that his agreement with the national team lasted only through the end of the tournament.

«I signed a contract for the Gold Cup, I believe that starting now I'm free [to sign with anyone],» Lozano said. «I don't know if it's in a few weeks or months, but a decision will need to be made, and from my part, whenever I can help the