OTTAWA — Atletico Ottawa has named Mexican Diego Mejia its new head coach on a one-year deal with a club option to extend through 2026.

The Canadian Premier League team has been without a coach since Spaniard Carlos González stepped down in November after three seasons in charge.

Ottawa (11-6-11) finished third in the eight-team league last season, losing 1-0 to Forge FC in the playoff semifinal.

Mejia, 41, served as assistant manager of FC Juarez from January 2021 to April 2023 before leading the Liga MX team as manager for 28 games across all competitions.

As a player, he took part in more than 400 games during a 14-year career in Mexico’s first and second divisions.

Mejia’s coaching staff includes assistant coach Diego Campos, goalkeeping coach Romuald Peiser, strength and conditioning coach Alex Baro and director of sports science Mitchell Rangel.

“We conducted an extensive search, interviewing top candidates from Canada and abroad, and Diego emerged as the perfect fit,” Atletico Ottawa CEO Manuel Vega said in a statement. “His game model aligns with our club’s vision and recruitment strategy, and his experience in Liga MX and extensive playing career bring valuable insight.

“Most importantly, Diego’s ability to connect with players and maximize their potential makes him an ideal leader for our team. We’re confident he will drive our success while strengthening our foundation for the future.”

Mejia’s coaching staff includes assistant coaches Diego Campos, goalkeeping coach Romuald Peiser, strength and conditioning coach Alex Baro and director of sports science Mitchell Rangel.

Atletico Ottawa, owned by Spain’s Atletico Madrid, is scheduled to open training camp in early February.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 15, 2025