Quirarte resigns as coach of Chivas

Chivas coach Fernando Quirarte resigned after a 2-0 loss to Tijuana, the club's third straight defeat and its worst record to open a Mexican first-division season.

Quirarte stepped down after the loss in a match played late Saturday. Quirarte was a popular player with Chivas in the 1980s, but won only three of 11 matches he coached with the club. Chivas has opened the Clausura season with three losses. His victories came in the just-completed Apertura season.

The Guadalajara club is among the most popular in Mexico and was a favorite to challenge for the Clausura title when the season started earlier this month. Chivas has started four seasons with two straight losses, but has never lost three straight to open a campaign.

Quirarte was hired late last year to replace Jose Luis Real.

He was captain and an outstanding defender with the team that won the 1986-87 league championship. He was also an assistant to Boris Milutinovic on the Mexico national team.

Chivas has won 11 league championships, more than any other Mexican club.