Liga MX

Coaches on the hot seat: The big decisions shaping Liga MX ahead of Apertura 2026

A breakdown by those in charge of managing the 18 teams of Mexican soccer heading towards what will be the next tournament of the top national circuit.

Jose Luis Melgarejo

Carlos Zúñiga

Ciudad de México Update: May 20th, 2026 12:57 EDT

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With the Clausura 2026 finale just days away, Liga MX clubs are already mapping out their next moves for a tournament that will kick off right as the World Cup wraps up.

Beyond the usual roster shake‑ups, the biggest storyline centers on the men on the sidelines. Most teams have their coaching situations relatively settled — but several high‑profile benches still carry real uncertainty.

Clausura 2026 full list of coaches

Efraín Juárez

At 38, Juárez has squeezed the absolute best out of a roster that’s neither stacked nor shallow. His contract with the Auriazules expires at the end of this tournament, and whether he finishes as champion or runner‑up could determine if he stays.

Coaches on the hot seat: The big decisions shaping Liga MX ahead of Apertura 2026 — Pumas' head coach Efrain Juarez gestures during the Liga MX Clausura quarter-final second leg football match between Pumas and America at Olimpico Universitario stadium in Mexico City on May 10, 2026. (Photo by Rodrigo Oropeza / AFP)RODRIGO OROPEZA

Gabriel Milito

Milito has impressed in his two tournaments with Chivas. After their elimination, he insisted the project is on the right track — and as long as the club keeps its core together, he believes they’ll remain contenders.

Joel Huiqui

With zero prior coaching experience, Huiqui completely flipped the team’s mentality after Nicolás Larcamón’s exit. He’s now one win away from glory. Club president Velázquez has already said Huiqui stays if he wins the title.

Esteban Solari

Solari’s Tuzos were the surprise of the last tournament — his first full campaign in charge. Inefficiency in front of goal cut their run short, but Pachuca is already working on a contract extension as his deal ends in June.

Antonio Mohamed

Mohamed delivered Toluca’s first back‑to‑back titles in the short‑tournament era and still has a shot at the Concacaf Champions Cup. Rumor has it that competition will determine his future. His contract runs through the end of the year, but he’s hinted he may want a break.

Diego Cocca

Cocca’s second stint with Atlas has been a slow build upward. His contract runs through 2026, but with Orlegi Sports preparing to sell the club, his future — and the roster he’ll have — depends on the new ownership’s plans.

Guido Pizarro

“El Conde” has kept his team competitive, reaching a domestic final and now the Concachampions final. He recently earned a renewal — one of Mauricio Culebro’s final moves before Carlos Emilio González takes over this summer.

André Jardine

Coaching América is always a pressure cooker, but Jardine appears set to continue with full backing from ownership. He will, however, need to refresh his staff after the departure of assistant Paulo Víctor.

Sebastián Abreu

“El Loco” is trying to stabilize Tijuana after a disappointing semester. His work developing young star Gilberto Mora — who will stay another tournament even if Europe calls — has been crucial.

Javier Gandolfi

Brought in as an emergency fix, Gandolfi restored León’s fight and identity after a rough previous tenure. He narrowly missed the playoffs, but his contract guarantees him at least one more tournament.

Esteban González

Querétaro’s new era started strong under González, losing only five regular‑season matches. They missed the playoffs, but with a two‑year contract, the club expects steady growth.

Pedro Caixinha

Caixinha’s return to Liga MX didn’t go as planned. With a roster that had flirted with the postseason, expectations were higher. Heading into his second tournament with Juárez, the pressure is on.

Matías Almeyda

Not yet official, but all signs point to Almeyda returning to Liga MX nearly a decade after his iconic run with Chivas — this time as the marquee hire of Monterrey’s new sporting director, Dennis te Kloese.

Raúl Chabrand

After a month as interim coach and years working in Mexico’s youth national teams, Chabrand is expected to receive full backing from Atlético San Luis for a complete tournament.

Martín Varini

Necaxa was one of the biggest disappointments of the last tournament, especially after Varini’s promising work in Juárez. His short‑term mission: get the Rayos back into the playoff picture.

Miguel Herrera

The Potros are back — and so is “El Piojo.” Herrera insists this is no rebuilding project; the goal is to reach the playoffs immediately. With his résumé, expectations will be sky‑high.

Gerardo Espinoza

After a brief interim spell with Chivas last year, Puebla is giving Espinoza the reins for a full tournament. It’s a massive challenge given the club’s limited investment and thin reinforcement options.

Renato Paiva

Paiva returns to Liga MX nearly two years after laying the groundwork for Toluca’s eventual back‑to‑back titles. His new mission is the toughest of all: reviving a Santos Laguna side stuck at the bottom of the table.