Diego Cocca’s surprise departure from Atlas continues to be the talk of the town. Just a few days after the club announced the end of his second stint as head coach of the Zorros, the Argentine coach decided to share his side of the story and made it clear that events did not unfold as they were officially presented.
In a message posted on his social media accounts, Cocca stated that there was never any disagreement about continuing with the red-and-black project. On the contrary, he asserted that the contract had already been signed, formalized, and was in effect, so the decision to terminate the employment relationship came as a complete surprise to him.
The coach’s statements contradict the press release issued by Atlas, which stated that the separation was due to a failure to reach an agreement on his contract renewal. Cocca directly refuted that version, noting that he decided to speak publicly to avoid speculation that could damage his professional reputation.
The Argentine coach also emphasized that in the weeks leading up to the decision, he had been working as usual on planning for the 2026 Apertura. He even recalled that he had led the entire preseason alongside his coaching staff, convinced that he would remain at the helm of the team—which, as he explained, demonstrates the commitment that existed to the sports project.
Without hiding his disappointment, Cocca described the decision as unexpected and without just cause. Even so, he avoided confrontation with the club’s new administration and used the message to thank the red-and-black fans for their support, with whom he built one of the most successful eras in the club’s recent history.
The bond between Diego Cocca and Atlas goes beyond results. Under his leadership, the Zorros won a historic back-to-back Liga MX championship and ended a seven-decade title drought—which is why his return had generated high expectations among the team’s fans.
However, the change in the club’s administration and the arrival of a new sports management structure marked an unexpected turn of events. The coach’s departure came just a few days before the start of the 2026 Apertura, forcing the board to accelerate the search for a replacement in time for the tournament’s kickoff.
As Atlas begins a new chapter, Diego Cocca’s statements have sparked a controversy that is unlikely to end anytime soon. His account casts doubt on the club’s official explanation and makes it clear that, from his perspective, the project did not end due to a lack of agreement, but rather because of a unilateral decision he never expected.
