Following a stretch of disappointing results, the university board began the search for a technical director to stabilize the team’s trajectory.
What had looked like a promising semester for the Tigers, with strong signings and encouraging results, gradually darkened after Diego Coco left the Mexican national team bench.
Mauricio Culebro, the institution’s president, asserted that no one sits above Tigres. In short order, Marco Antonio Ruiz—often called Chima Ruiz—was named interim coach, a trusted figure for players and staff alike. Yet recent weeks failed to deliver the needed improvement, and the exit defeat in the Clásico Regio against Monterrey became the final straw for some observers.
Tigres currently finds itself outside the direct playoff zone, and questions linger about the effectiveness of recent reinforcements. The club’s supporters, widely regarded as among the most demanding in the country, are growing increasingly impatient.
During the current international break, the club appears to gain some breathing room as it shifts its focus toward long-term leadership. Rumors have circulated about Marcelo Gallardo, the Argentine coach famed for his success with River Plate, potentially entering the club’s consideration. While these reports create a spark of optimism, they also come with significant caveats given Gallardo’s stature and current market demand.
Gallardo, who has spent eight intense years at River Plate and collected a dozen major titles, recently parted ways with a club at a moment of fatigue and is weighing his next move. He directed a high-profile match earlier this year between Paris Saint-Germain and a Riyadh XI, signaling he remains a sought-after figure in top-tier football. A confidential source explained that discussions with football powers in Europe have kept him in the spotlight, with some insiders suggesting a preference for a move to England over other options.
As a result, the possibility of Gallardo taking the helm in Mexican football remains unlikely, though the unpredictable nature of football means anything could still unfold in the coming months.
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