Every new coach in the Apertura 2026 - and the Liga MX challenges they face

As every new season brings change, clubs across Liga MX welcome fresh faces in hopes of raising their competitive level. The Apertura 2026 will feature a wave of head coaches embarking on new projects throughout the league. Here’s a look at the challenges each manager will face as they begin their tenure in Mexico’s fast-paced short-format competition.

Guillermo Almada: Club América

Replacing André Jardine is nothing short of a monumental challenge. Despite an inconsistent finish to his final campaign, the Brazilian departs Coapa as a club legend, having cemented his place in history as the only manager to lead a team to three consecutive Liga MX titles in the short-tournament era.

Almada arrives carrying the weight of lofty expectations. His primary task will be restoring América’s trademark intensity and consistency while helping revive several veteran stars whose influence has faded in recent years. At the same time, he’ll be expected to usher in a new generation of talent capable of building its legacy at one of Mexico’s biggest clubs.

Esteban Solari: Pumas

Alongside Almada, Solari may be the coach facing the greatest pressure heading into the new campaign. Pumas enjoyed one of their strongest tournaments in recent memory during the Clausura 2026, but a heartbreaking defeat in the final left the squad emotionally drained.

The new manager’s first mission will be to lift the mood around the team following the unexpected departure of Efraín Juárez, who has already begun the next chapter of his coaching career in Hungary. Solari must quickly prove that Pumas has what it takes to turn the page and mount an immediate challenge for redemption.

Diego Mejía: Atlético San Luis

Atlético San Luis enters a new era under Diego Mejía, who has been tasked with implementing his own identity and style of play as the club seeks to take the next step in its development.

The objective is clear: transform San Luis from an up-and-coming side into a legitimate contender capable of establishing itself near the top of the standings and competing for the Apertura 2026 title. Mejía’s most recent experience came with Atlético Ottawa, and his arrival adds another young Mexican coach to a league where domestic managers remain a rarity.

Renato Paiva: Santos Laguna

Santos Laguna finds itself in troubled waters, but Renato Paiva has arrived with the goal of turning things around. The Portuguese coach takes charge with a straightforward but crucial mandate: restore the winning identity that has defined Santos throughout much of the 21st century.

Paiva’s leadership will be vital in rebuilding the confidence of a squad that has lost its footing and reestablishing the club as one of the most difficult opponents in Liga MX.

Miguel Herrera: Atlante

Liga MX fans will once again get to see Miguel “Piojo” Herrera on the touchline following an unsuccessful stint in Costa Rica. This marks the seventh managerial job of Herrera’s career and a particularly meaningful return to Atlante, a club where he not only played but also previously served as head coach during two separate spells (2002-2004 and 2010-2011).

Herrera has been brought in to inject his trademark intensity and winning mentality into the organization, with the goal of elevating the Potros as they begin their return to Mexico’s top flight.

Matías Almeyda: Monterrey

The prodigal son returns. After his time with Sevilla and years of coaching experience across multiple countries, Almeyda is back in Mexican soccer amid enormous expectations. His challenge is to return Rayados to the league’s elite after one of the most disappointing seasons in club history, a campaign that ended without a playoff berth.

Almeyda’s successful tenure with Chivas remains the benchmark, and Monterrey supporters will be hoping that same winning formula can be replicated as a new chapter begins in northern Mexico.

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