Cruz Azul head coach’s rare Liga MX feat
Since he started coaching in Mexico, Cruz Azul boss Nicolás Larcamón has always qualified for the Liga MX postseason.
There’s no doubt about it - Cruz Azul is one of the leading contenders to lift the Apertura 2025 trophy. The club’s project is sailing smoothly under the guidance of Nicolás Larcamón, who’s earned a reputation as something of a “Mr. Playoffs” in Liga MX. Since arriving in Mexico, the Argentine manager has consistently led his teams to the postseason, regardless of the badge on his chest.
Larcamón’s arrival in Mexican soccer brought a breath of fresh air to the league’s coaching ranks. Puebla was the club that took a chance on the then-unknown tactician, and he wasted no time proving his worth. In his debut tournament, he guided La Franja all the way to the semifinals.
His first campaign in Liga MX came during the Clausura 2021, where he steered Puebla to a third-place finish before falling to Santos Laguna in the last four.
Over the next three tournaments, Larcamón kept Puebla in the playoff picture via the play-in, though each time his squad fell short in the quarterfinals.
León and Necaxa: No roadblocks for Larcamón
In the Clausura 2023, Larcamón took the reins at León - a club with deeper resources and higher expectations than Puebla. The goal was clear: consistent playoff appearances. In his first tournament, León finished sixth in the regular season but was knocked out in the play-in by Atlético San Luis. The Apertura 2023 saw improvement, as León advanced through the play-in, only to be eliminated by Club América in the quarterfinals.
Larcamón spent 2024 away from Mexican soccer, trying his luck in Brazil. But he returned the following year, taking charge of Necaxa for the Clausura 2025. With a stable project in place, Larcamón once again delivered, guiding Los Hidrorayos to a fifth-place finish and a spot in the postseason, where they were ousted by Tigres in the quarterfinals.
Larcamón’s Liga MX playoff track record
- Clausura 2021 | Puebla - 3rd place | Eliminated by Santos in semifinals
- Apertura 2021 | Puebla - 7th place | Won repechaje, eliminated by León in quarterfinals
- Clausura 2022 | Puebla - 5th place | Won repechaje, eliminated by América in quarterfinals
- Apertura 2022 | Puebla - 8th place | Won repechaje, eliminated by América in quarterfinals
- Clausura 2023 | León - 6th place | Eliminated in repechaje by San Luis
- Apertura 2023 | León - 6th place | Advanced via play-in, eliminated by América in quarterfinals
- Clausura 2025 | Necaxa - 5th place | Eliminated by Tigres in quarterfinals
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