Cruz Azul interim coach Joel Huiqui sends Liga MX title warning after beating Chivas: “No team deserves it more”
Huiqui praised Cruz Azul’s unity, tactics and belief after reaching the Clausura 2026 final with a win over Guadalajara.
Cruz Azul interim coach Joel Huiqui didn’t hold back after guiding La Máquina into the Clausura 2026 final with a statement victory over Chivas.
Speaking after the semifinal win, the former Cruz Azul defender said he believes no team is more deserving of playing for the Liga MX title.
“For me, taking over this team was a huge opportunity,” Huiqui said. “Being in a final is something we earned. I told the players that there’s no better team, no team more deserving of competing for this title. Our management has been very simple: bring order. They are the main characters in this story, and I’m very happy to be in a final.”
The 42-year-old coach took charge during a difficult stretch for Cruz Azul, but quickly stabilized the team and helped reignite its title ambitions.
Huiqui believes Cruz Azul can win its 10th title
Huiqui said the squad already had the quality needed to compete for a championship, even before his arrival on the sideline.
“The team played very well throughout the tournament and had some excellent matches,” he explained. “There was a stretch where they couldn’t quite put everything together. When I arrived, I felt they mainly needed simple support, support from a friend. That opened the door to many things for us.”
He also pointed out that the roster itself hasn’t dramatically changed.
“These are the same players from 20 games ago. We’ve done things well, and we’re ready to fight for the title.”
Cruz Azul is now aiming to capture the club’s long-awaited 10th Liga MX championship, a milestone fans have been craving for years.
Coach addresses his future with the club
Huiqui also spoke about the possibility of remaining in charge beyond the Clausura 2026 campaign.
“Whatever happens with my future depends on the front office,” he said. “Right now, I’m just happy to be playing in a final.”
Still, the coach made it clear he hopes to continue leading the club he considers home.
“I would love to stay with the team. That’s the reality,” Huiqui said. “I’ve been part of this club for as long as I can remember. I came through the youth system, although I made my professional debut elsewhere before returning. Right now, what matters most is enjoying this final, preparing the team well, and hopefully giving this institution and its fans another title.”
“We are a family” at Cruz Azul
Huiqui repeatedly emphasized the sense of unity inside the locker room, describing Cruz Azul as a family-oriented club with strong foundations.
“We are a huge institution. We are a family,” he said. “Guadalajara is also a great institution with an outstanding academy. That’s the model to follow, and we want the same thing: developing players for our clubs and for the national team.”
The coach also shed light on the tactical adjustments that helped Cruz Azul eliminate Chivas in the semifinals.
“Playoff games are always different,” Huiqui explained. “We studied the previous matches carefully. Playing with a back five, we knew they wanted to pull us wide, so we tried to keep our center backs from stepping out and instead let the midfielders handle those situations. I think it worked.”
He specifically praised José Paradela, Rodolfo Rotondi, Cristian Ebere and Charlie Rodríguez for executing the game plan successfully.
Finally, Huiqui acknowledged the effort shown by Chivas despite their youthful lineup.
“They played a semifinal with a lot of young players,” he said. “Every team had players missing, but they competed very well.”
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