FACTBOX-Soccer-Mexico coach Javier Aguirre

April 3 (Reuters) - Factbox on Javier Aguirre, who was appointed Mexico coach on Friday to replace Sven-Goran Eriksson.

* Born: Dec. 1 1958 in Mexico City, the son of Spanish immigrants.

PLAYING CAREEER

* He played for America, Atlante and Osasuna in Spain, where he suffered a broken leg during a match in Oct. 1986. He returned home to finish his career with Guadalajara.

EARLY COACHING CAREER

* Began with Mexico City side Atlante in 1995, helping save them from relegation, and then went to study in Spain for two years.

* Joined Pachuca, a small club founded by Cornish miners, in 1998 and the following year helped them win the Mexican championship.

* He was appointed Mexico coach in June 2001, replacing Enrique Meza after a 3-1 defeat in Honduras.

MEXICO CAREER

* After taking over with Mexico in serious trouble in the World Cup qualifiers, he guided them to the 2002 finals in Japan and South Korea helped by some inspirational performances from Cuauhtemoc Blanco.

* Mexico were also given a helping hand when Honduras suffered a shock home defeat to Trinidad & Tobago. Mexico then beat Honduras at the Azteca to qualify.

* Mexico also reach the final of the 2001 Copa America where they lost to hosts Colombia in the final.

* After impressively topping their first round group at the World Cup, Mexico suffered a bitter defeat against arch-rivals the United States in the second round.

* Aguirre finishes with a record of 17 wins, four draws and six defeats in 27 full internationals in charge.

SPAINISH COACHING CAREER

* Joined Osasuna after the World Cup. In four seasons, he took them to the final of the Spanish Cup and led them to a club best fourth-place finish.

* Moved to Atletico Madrid qualifying them for this season's Champions League. He quit at the start of February following a run of seven matches without a win.

(Compiled by Brian Homewood; Editing by Greg Stutchbury; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)