As the Mexican league edges toward another dramatic final, GOAL examines the coaches who captured a title in their very first season in charge.
After a gripping first half of the year, the Clausura 2023 campaign enters its decisive phase. Chivas and Tigres pushed hard, closing in on their tough rivals América and Monterrey in the semi finals, and now prepare for a climactic showdown in the final.
In this high-stakes finale, two managers will lead their clubs for the first time in a league title match. Veljko Paunovic and Robert Dante Siboldi each arrive with a real shot at leaving a lasting mark on Mexican football and joining a notable list of coaches who made an immediate impact in Liga MX. This article revisits those leaders who have already lifted trophies in their debut campaigns, drawing from a history that fans in the United States and Canada can appreciate for its drama and context in the broader North American game. [Citation: GOAL]
ALFREDO TENA
The ascent of Captain Fury began in the 1993-1994 season with Puebla. He stepped away from on-field duties two years later to translate his leadership into success from the bench, moving to defend the colors of Santos Laguna. In his first tournament as head coach, Tena steered the Warriors to glory in the summer 1996 tournament, as Necaxa clinched the title on a 4-3 aggregate score. [Citation: GOAL]
LUIS FERNANDO TENA
Carrying the family name into the dugout, the younger Tena began his head coaching journey with Cruz Azul for two seasons, from 1994 to 1996. After a brief hiatus, he returned to La Noria in 1997 and captured the winter 1997 championship, overcoming León 1-2 on aggregate. [Citation: GOAL]
ALBERTO GEORGE
In the 2002 opening, Toluca navigated a crowded coaching slate. Ricardo LaVolpe was slated to start the semester there but soon shifted to the national team, leaving the door to Wilson Graniolatti and eventually Alberto Jorge to take the reins. Jorge guided Toluca through the semifinals and held the lead for the team, coaching the club for four games in the championship run. [Citation: GOAL]
VICTOR MANUEL VUCETICH
The King Midas of coaching claimed two titles in his debut season at the helm. With Pachuca, Vucetich secured the Opening title in 2003 by defeating Tigres 3-2 on aggregate. Years later, he repeated the feat with Monterrey in the Opening 2009, steering La Pandilla to a 4-6 aggregate victory over Cruz Azul at Estadio Azul. [Citation: GOAL]
GALIC AMERICA
Gallego arrived at Toluca in 2005, taking over from Enrique Meza. He wasted no time, crafting a remarkable debut with Toluca and guiding the team to the Opening 2005 final against Monterrey, where the title was clinched at the extinct Estadio Tecnológico with a 6-3 aggregate and Toluca claiming its eighth league crown. [Citation: GOAL]
JOSE MANUEL DE LA TORRE
Chivas benefited from a fresh national title under Jose Manuel de la Torre, who steered Toluca to glory in the Opening 2008 final against Cruz Azul. A dramatic 2-2 draw after extra time yielded to a 7-6 penalty shootout, sealing the championship for Toluca. [Citation: GOAL]
ANTONIO MOHAMED
After his first spell with Rayados, the Turkish coach returned to the Sultana del Norte to lift another Liga MX crown. He captured the Opening 2019 title with Monterrey, defeating América at the Azteca Stadium in a final decided by penalties. [Citation: GOAL]
JUAN REYNOSO
The Peruvian coach arrived at Cruz Azul in 2021 and, against the odds, ended a 23-year league title drought for La Máquina with a 2-1 victory over Santos Laguna at the Estadio Azteca. A few months later, Reynoso departed amid controversy and legal tensions with the club. [Citation: GOAL]
Which team will win the Clausura 2023 Liga MX?
- Monterrey
- America
- Chivas
- Toluca
- Tigers
- Other
Voting now open
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Which team will win the Clausura 2023 Liga MX?
- 14%Monterrey
- 28%America
- 36%Chivas
- 2%Toluca
- 14%Tigers
- 6%Other
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