Gimenez: Pachuca's Struggles Not Due To Manager

Pachuca have not had a season like last year. In the Clausura 2009 campaign, there was no doubt los Tuzos would participate in the postseason. This time around, however, Pachuca is not lock to make the Liguilla.

While the roster did not have much turnover, the club changed managers as Enrique Meza left for Cruz Azul and Guillermo Rivarola replaced Meza at the helm.

But Tuzo star Christian Gimenez said the managerial switch is not the reason for Pachuca's decline.

"Guillermo is not the reason," Gimenez told reporters after a Pachuca training session earlier this week. "He has given us the same freedom as Enrique Meza when he was here. We play the same way as before, when we were the superlider and played against Pumas in the final. I believe we just are not doing well to manage the game."

Entering Jornada 14, Pachuca have a 7-5-1 record and sit on 22 points. While the team is in fourth place, they are still not in a dismal position, but are in the strongest group.

"From first place through seventh there are four teams from our group. This has been a bit of a strange season for us but we've done well to gain the points we've obtained. Obviously we want to be in a good place but we are in the toughest group."

The club has fought to maintain their high level of play and did well to get out of the first round of the CONCACAF Champions League atop their group.

Pachuca play Atlas Saturday and could continue to climb up the table. But the players must start taking more responsibility for themselves if they want to make a run at a title.

"We're aware that we've not been doing some things. Guillermo can give us instructions but he's not on the field. The ones who make decisions on the field are the players and every player hast to take responsibility for himself and I believe at this time the responsibility is ours."

Goal.com

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