Rafael Márquez makes Martinoli recall Miguel Herrera's assault: The phrase 'toca trabajar' stirs dark past

Rafael Márquez has officially stepped into the hot seat of the Mexico national team. In his first interview with veteran commentator Christian Martinoli, an seemingly harmless phrase opened old wounds: 'toca trabajar' (time to work). Martinoli, who was the victim of a 2026 assault by former coach Miguel Herrera, laughed but couldn't hide the lingering trauma. He shared: 'That phrase reminded me of a terrible evening. Herrera used to say the same before getting violent.' The incident occurred at Philadelphia airport after a Mexico vs. Panama Gold Cup 2026 match. Martinoli had criticized the team's performance. Herrera, known for his temper, attacked him in front of witnesses. The scandal rocked North American football and led to Herrera's dismissal. Now, Márquez – a legend of Mexican football – is building a new image: a calm, listening coach. During the interview, he laughed off the remark: 'Time to work, not to fight. I think we should focus on football.' However, bringing back 'toca trabajar' could inadvertently reignite bad memories. From a VAR analyst's perspective, this is a delicate move. Márquez doesn't avoid the past but doesn't dwell on conflict. He turns it into an opportunity to assert a different leadership style. Is this a smart chess move? Or a risk in playing with someone else's scars? Martinoli seemed satisfied: 'I like how he handles it. Unlike Herrera, Márquez knows when to stop.' The lesson: In modern football, media and coaches must walk hand in hand. Márquez shows maturity not only on the pitch but in press conferences. 'The line never lies, but the person drawing it can,' he might be drawing a new path for Mexican football. As a former VAR analyst, I understand that every decision – no matter how small – affects the big picture. Márquez chose to ease the atmosphere instead of confronting. That's a good sign for a new era. Conclusion: Márquez's early days as head coach are promising. The 'toca trabajar' story will be retold, but if he maintains this calm, Mexico can hope for a peaceful and successful era.