Guadalajara Chivas coach Ambriz steps down

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) -- Guadalajara Chivas coach Ignacio Ambriz is leaving the club after a committee headed by former Barcelona coach Johan Cruyff declined to support him in the job.

Chivas said in a statement Wednesday that Ambriz had decided to resign his position immediately.

Chivas officials said Cruyff and his committee had recommended that Ambriz stay only until the end of the season. Ambriz took over the struggling club in January from Fernando Quirarte.

Chivas was beaten 5-0 by Deportivo Quito on Tuesday in the Copa Libertadores, a humiliating loss for one of Mexico's most popular clubs.

The club said Alberto Coyote, a former player, will take over as the interim coach. It said the new coach will be picked by Cruyff.

Chivas has won more league titles than any other Mexican club, but it will miss the playoffs this season.

The Guadalajara team is the only Mexican side that plays only with Mexican players. In recent season the club has declined to sign new players, giving youngsters from its youth system a chance instead.

Cruyff was hired in late February as an adviser at the club, which had lost 13 straight matches when he joined.

In its statement, Chivas said Cruyff "will establish new standards for all players at the club. ... Players are required to conduct themselves professionally, on and off the pitch. The new rules will come into effect June 1.''

Chivas owner Jorge Vergara hired Cruyff to help deflect criticism of his management of the club.

Vergara owns the Omnilife company, which sells health supplements throughout the Americas and in Spain. Many fans have criticized him for the club's poor form and suggested he has not spent enough to sign top players or coaches.

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