Chivas' winless run reaches 13 after Copa loss

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Guadalajara hasn't won in 13 matches, and the spiral of poor results has prompted one of Mexico's most famous football brands to call for outside assistance in the shape of former Dutch great Johan Cruyff.

Chivas was humiliated 3-0 by Velez Sarsfield of Argentina on Wednesday in the Copa Libertadores, meaning the club has failed to win a match in four months and forcing new coach Ignacio Ambriz to simply say that "faith is needed."

Chivas said Thursday it would be taking several key steps to stop the rot.

Foremost, it announced that former Barcelona coach Cruyff was joining the club as an advisor. He will be formally introduced on Saturday.

"Welcome Johan Cruyff to the Chivas family," the club said on its website.

Cruyff, 64, is regarded as one of the game's greatest player. He retired in 1984 and went on to coach Ajax and Barcelona. He led Barcelona in 1992 to its first Champions League title. Sporting director Rafe ael Ortega says new players may have to be signed in the offseason, a change of course for a club that has tried for several seasons to win with young, unproven talent.

"The team is down from what is expected, but I still have faith," said Ambriz, who replaced Fernando Quirarte as coach several weeks ago. "Although they are young players, they know what it means to wear the Chivas shirt and I have faith we are going to move forward."

It will not be easy for the most successful club in Mexico football history.

In the Clausura tournament — the second half of Mexico's split season — Chivas has only two points from seven matches. Ten league games remain and they are all likely to be difficult.

Chivas must play Santos and defending champions UANL Tigres, which share the league lead this season. There is also a showdown with archrival America and a derby match against city rival Atlas.

"Our finishing has not been good," Ambriz said. "We have created some chances, but we have not followed through in attack. We can't do anything but keep working."

Club owner Jorge Vergara and his wife Angelica Fuentes, who serves as executive president, have been criticized for failing to spend money on talented players. Vergara owns the Omnilife company, which sells health supplements throughout the Americas and in Spain.

A large void was left when Javier (Chichartio) Hernandez moved to Manchester United almost two years ago.

Ortega, the sporting director, says that problem will be addressed.

"There will have to be a few changes made," Ortega said. "One could say it's a necessity."