Meza leaves Pachuca, ending era of titles

Enrique Meza, a day after losing the Clausura 2009 finals, officially has announced his departure from Pachuca, stating that his cycle with los Tuzos had come to an end.

"It is impossible not to think what has happened, I cannot remain for many reasons, because they gave me a chance when everyone thought I would get sacked," Meza said to reporters. "But now I think that my cycle here has come to an end."

Meza arrived at Pachuca in the Apertura 2006 season and, after a shaky start, managed to lead the Tuzos to their first international championship by winning the 2006 Copa Sudamericana, becoming the first club to win a CONMEBOL tourney. With Meza at the helm, Pachuca also won the Clausura 2007 championship and back-to-back CONCACAF Champions' Cup in '07 and '08.

"I am saying goodbye to my friends, of a great club that gave me the opportunity to work, where I had many wonderful moments," said an emotional Meza. "Thanks to everyone, to everyone that supported me, to the squad, an exceptional group of players that defined a playing style which brought much satisfaction as well as headaches."

"It is not fair, everything that has been speculated, and I consider it a lack of respect," Meza said of recent rumors linking him with a move to Cruz Azul. "This is the right time for me to leave, I came through the front door, and like [Pachuca sporting director Andres] Fassi said, I leave through the front door of a great institution."