The Mazatlán coach has joined a growing list of managers who were dismissed this season, marking the seventh departure in Clausura 2022. In football, people often hear the phrase that the technicians are children of the results, underscoring how quickly a board may decide that a manager bears the responsibility when the on-field performance dips. This reality makes it possible for clubs to part ways after a run of unfavorable results, sometimes abruptly, as teams seek fresh leadership to change fortunes.
GOAL takes a closer look at the strategists who stepped away from their roles at the start of Clausura 2022, outlining the professional paths that led to these managerial exits and what came next for each club.
1 | RICARDO FERRETTI (BLUE CROSS)
Ferretti and Cruz Azul parted ways by mutual consent after a period where the team struggled to climb out of the relegation zone. The veteran coach, known for his demanding standards and tactical acumen, had been in charge across 17 matches spanning Clausura 2023, Apertura 2023, and the Leagues Cup. Under his watch, the club showed flashes of organization but failed to convert opportunities into a sustained, winning run. His departure signaled a turning point for Blue Cross as they recalibrated their plans for the season ahead and charted a new course in a highly competitive league landscape.
Ferretti’s tenure, marked by a mix of disciplined defense and moments of decisive attack, left fans with a clear sense of what the side could accomplish when everything clicked and what was missing when results slid. The decision to move on reflected a broader push by the club to restore consistency and push back toward the upper portion of the table, aiming to return to the traditions of success historically associated with Cruz Azul.
2 | EDUARDO ARCE (PUEBLA)
Departures like Arce’s often arrive after a stretch of difficult results that test the patience of supporters and management alike. After a challenging start to the Apertura 2023 campaign, La Franja announced the resignation of Eduardo Arce as the head of the senior squad. The four consecutive defeats—versus Santos, América, Atlético San Luis, and Mazatlán—proved too much to overcome, and the club acknowledged that a fresh direction was needed to rebuild confidence and performance levels. Arce’s tenure had been defined by a commitment to a possession-based style and a belief in cultivating young talent, but the results on the pitch ultimately dictated the decision to transition leadership.
The resignation closed a chapter in Puebla’s evolving project, one that saw the club balancing a push for immediate points with a longer-term strategy aimed at sustainable growth in Mexican football. The process left players and staff reflecting on lessons learned and the work ahead to reestablish consistency under new guidance.
3 | RAFAEL DUDAMEL (NECAXA)
Necaxa faced another challenging phase as Rafael Dudamel left the club following a disappointing start to the Apertura 2023. The Venezuelan strategist arrived with high expectations, carrying a reputation for building competitive teams and demanding high standards. Yet the early results did not align with those hopes, and Dudamel oversaw six league matches that included two draws and two losses, a record that left the club seeking a different trajectory to satisfy the fan base and ownership alike.
Dismissals of this kind often reflect a broader search for a project that can restore vitality and a winning mindset. For Necaxa, the decision signaled a willingness to reassess tactical approaches, recruitment plans, and the club’s overall strategy to deliver consistent performances in a league that rewards momentum and resilience. The aftermath typically centers on how quickly a new leadership can install belief within the squad and translate training-ground ideas into results on match day, a delicate balance that defines modern football governance.
Source: GOAL