The man who led the detractors against Bora Milutinovic has been named his replacement. Manuel Lapuente, the Necaxa coach who spoke out against Milutinovic at every opportunity, took the reins Nov. 28, four days after Milutinovic was fired despite qualifying Mexico for France ’98. Lapuente has had success at the domestic level, having won the Mexican title four times with clubs Necaxa (1995 & 1996) and Puebla (1983 & 1990), but failed in his first spell as Mexico boss in 1991, lasting just 12 months in the job. Lapuente stepped down under pressure after a Milutinovic-coached U.S. team knocked Mexico out of the Gold Cup. The coach Milutinovic replaced five years later, Miguel Mejia Baron, was later fired largely because of two losses to a Steve Sampson-coached U.S. in the summer of 1995. And a 0-0 tie in Mexico City Nov. 2, in which the U.S.played with 10 men for 58 minutes, was a key factor in Milutinovic’s demise. The 52-year-old Lapuente’s first challenge is the Confederations’ Cup (Dec. 12-21) in Saudi Arabia. Mexico is grouped with Australia, Brazil and the host. Lapuente has left several veterans off the squad. While Carlos Hermosillo is injured, notable absentees include Alberto Garcia Aspe, Benjamin Galindo, Alberto Coyote, and Jorge Campos. MEXICO ROSTER Goalkeepers: Oswaldo Sanchez (Club America), Oscar Perez (Cruz Azul). Defenders: Isaac Terrazas (Club America), Noe Zarate (Guadalajara), Pavel Pardo (Atlas), Salvador Carmona (Toluca), Markus Lopez (Tecos), Francisco de Anda (Santos), Duilio Davino (Club America), Claudio Suarez (Guadalajara). Midfielders: Raul Rodrigo Lara (America), German Villa (Club America), Ramon Ramirez (Guadalajara), Braulio Luna (UNAM). Forwards: Jose Manuel Abundis (Toluca), Luis Hernandez (Boca Juniors/Argentina), Luis Garcia (Atlante), Paulo Cesar Chavez (Guadalajara), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Necaxa), Francisco Palencia (Cruz Azul), Javier Lozano (Tigres).