Cruz Azul fires beleaguered manager Galindo

Two days after closing out a lousy home schedule with yet another loss, Cruz Azul and manager Benjamin Galindo parted ways.

Cruz Azul sacked its manager after a disastrous 2-8-6 Clausura 2009 campaign. La Máquina closes out the the season on Saturday at Jaguares, and if it loses, it would finish dead last in the league standings, something that has never happened in the 45-year history of the Primera Division.

Cruz Azul Hidalgo manager Robert Dante Siboldi was named Galindo's replacement, at least for the short term. Siboldi will manage Cruz Azul's league match against Jaguares as well as the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final on May 12.

Galindo had quite a bit of success in his spell with Cruz Azul. He led the team to the Apertura 2008 final in his first season as manager. While Toluca beat Cruz Azul, reaching the final was an accomplishment given the club's history. Cruz Azul had lost in the Clausura 2008 final as well but had not reached a final before that since 1997.

Additionally, Galindo guided the side to the CONCACAF Champions League final.

However, the writing was on the wall for much of this season as Galindo fielded questions about his job security following each recent setback. Cruz Azul beat Necaxa 3-2 on Feb. 22 to improve their record to 2-2-3 but did not win a league game after that.

Cruz Azul lost six out of their last seven league games, including a 1-0 loss to Indios on Saturday. --Goal.com