How Argentina dominates in Mexico
Six Argentine coaches dominate early standings as Liga MX’s Clausura 2026 enters a decisive stretch.

With Liga MX about to begin its seventh round and enter the second third of the regular season, the early evidence points to an unmistakable dominance by Argentine managers, now the most numerous contingent in Mexican soccer. After 18 points have been contested, all six Argentine head coaches sit in playoff positions.
Gabriel Milito, Nicolás Larcamón, Antonio Mohamed, Esteban Solari, Guido Pizarro and Diego Cocca have their respective teams among the top spots in the domestic standings, although it remains far too early to call these positions definitive on the road to the Clausura 2026 playoffs. Efraín Juárez, in charge of Pumas, and Domènec Torrent, leading Rayados, round out the top eight. Juárez appears to be the only Mexican coach with a genuine shot at entering the title race.
Distribution of coaches in Mexico
- Argentina: 6 (Chivas, Cruz Azul, Toluca, Pachuca, Tigres, Atlas)
- Mexico: 4 (Pumas, León, Mazatlán, Santos)
- Spain: 3 (Monterrey, Atlético de San Luis, Puebla)
- Uruguay: 2 (Necaxa, Tijuana)
- Brazil: 1 (America)
- Chile: 1 (Querétaro)
- Portugal: 1 (FC Juárez)
¡Chivas se mantiene como líder general! 🥶🔝🐐
— AS México (@ASMexico) February 16, 2026
América está fuera de zona de Liguilla 🦅❌
Mazatlán por fin ganó y deja el sótano, que ahora le pertenece a Santos 😇☠️#Clausura2026 pic.twitter.com/iZDJG3BSL4
Foreign influence has also shaped the trophy count over the past 10 tournaments, reinforcing the current trend.
Argentina: Apertura 2025, Clausura 2025 – Toluca
Brazil: Apertura 2024, Clausura 2024, Apertura 2023 – América
Uruguay: Clausura 2023, Apertura 2022 – Tigres and Pachuca
Argentina: Clausura 2022, Apertura 2021 – Atlas
Peru: Guardianes 2021 – Cruz Azul
The last time a Mexican manager lifted the league title came in the Guardianes 2020 tournament, played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Ignacio Ambriz, leading León’s “Panzas Verdes,” defeated Pumas UNAM 3-1 on aggregate to claim the championship.

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