At GOAL, the spotlight shines on the most memorable moments Guadalajara experienced over the year.
2022 brought a spectrum of contrasts for Chivas, with moments of darkness and bursts of brilliance that thrilled their supporters. During this period, there were many efforts to find solutions and finally end a five-year drought without Liga MX glory.
In this overview we capture the key events that defined the season:
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Complicated start
The team, led by Marcelo Michel Leaño, began Clausura 2022 with notable irregularity that kept them from climbing into the Liga Mx playoff picture. Early results suggested a difficult road ahead, as the squad struggled to establish consistency and momentum in the league standings.
Marcelo Michel Leaño is fired
Following a run of disappointing results, Guadalajara’s board decided to part ways with technical director Marcelo Michel Leaño, who had briefly stepped in after a previous campaign with Víctor Manuel Vucetich. The decision reflected the club’s urgency to restore stability and performance.
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The streak of Ricardo Cadena
Ricardo Cadena, who was guiding Tapatío at the time, earned promotion to the first team and then steered a four-match winning streak that revitalized the team’s playoff hopes. In a dramatic turn, they ousted Pumas in the rematch but were eliminated by Atlas in the quarterfinals. The temporary revival left fans hopeful and energized the club’s leadership.
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Alexis Vega extends
After lengthy negotiations, the club finally reached an agreement with Alexis Vega to extend his stay. The forward became the highest-paid player in Chivas history, signing a contract that extended until 2024 and signaling the club’s commitment to maintaining a high-caliber core.
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José Juan Macías injury
In the second half of 2022, José Juan Macías suffered a torn cruciate ligament during training, sidelining him for the Apertura tournament. His absence forced Guadalajara to search for a new goal threat and adjust their attacking plans accordingly.
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Controversial signing of Santiago Ormeño
To compensate for the loss of Macías, Guadalajara pursued a number nine and ultimately chose Santiago Ormeño. His arrival sparked debate, as concerns surrounded his form with León over the prior year. Despite holding Peruvian and Mexican nationality, many supporters felt the move strained tradition and raised questions about identity and heritage within the squad.
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Eliminated in the rematch
The 2022 campaign was marked by inconsistency for Guadalajara, but qualification for the rematch brought a clash with Puebla. The tie went to extra time and then penalties, with Puebla advancing and the season ending in disappointment. The result contributed to a broader shake-up in leadership and strategy for the club.
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End of the Peláez era
After nearly three years as the sports director, Ricardo Peláez stepped aside, tendering his resignation. With the Sacred Flock, his tenure could not mirror the championship successes he achieved with América and Cruz Azul, where he had previously guided teams to titles.
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Hierro and Paunovic lead a new project
Amaury Vergara, the owner of Chivas, entrusted the sports management to Fernando Hierro, the Spaniard known for his extensive experience in this field. His first major decision was to appoint Veljko Paunović as the new head coach, signaling a fresh direction for the club and ambitions for upcoming seasons.
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The return of Victor Guzmán
Following a brief return in 2020, Víctor Guzmán was brought back to reinforce the squad for what the club hoped would be a strong Clausura 2023. In the deal, Guadalajara agreed to part ways with Jesús Angulo, who joined León as part of the rebuilding process.
All information reflects ongoing coverage by GOAL and related sports outlets, while the club follows its evolving strategy and roster movements as it builds toward future campaigns.