Liga MX

Monterrey dismisses Domènec Torrent: Tato Noriega’s fourth coach fails to end long trophy drought

Since 2022, Rayados has cycled through four managers under Noriega, yet Liga MX and CONCACAF titles remain out of reach.

Juan Luis Diaz

Jahir Cárdenas Roddy Cons

Update: Mar 2nd, 2026 02:41 EST

The dismissal of Domènec Torrent as head coach of Monterrey marks the fourth managerial change since José Antonio ‘“Tato” Noriega became sporting president, and none of them delivered a trophy.

After a run of poor results and less than a year in charge, the Spanish coach was dismissed following a decision by the club’s board. Monterrey’s form had dipped sharply, and fans had repeatedly voiced their frustration with what they were seeing on the field.

Torrent didn’t last a full year

Torrent arrived in the summer of 2025 with an eye on the upcoming Club World Cup. Monterrey showed flashes of promise against high-profile opponents such as Inter Milan, River Plate and Borussia Dortmund.

But that level never carried over to Liga MX play.

“Dome” leaves without a trophy, another setback during Noriega’s tenure as the club continues its search for the long-awaited championship. Several coaches have come and gone during that stretch.

Notably, the longest any manager has lasted under Noriega is just 14 months, a little over one year. Every tenure so far has been brief.

Monterrey dismisses Domènec Torrent: Tato Noriega’s fourth coach fails to end long trophy drought — Monterrey's Spanish head coach Domenec Torrent reacts during the Liga MX Clausura tournament football match between Monterrey and Cruz Azul at BBVA Stadium in Monterrey, Mexico on February 28, 2026. (Photo by Julio Cesar AGUILAR / AFP)JULIO CESAR AGUILAR

Víctor Manuel Vucetich

When Noriega took the job in November 2022, Víctor Manuel Vucetich was already on the bench. That tournament, Clausura 2023, Monterrey finished first with 40 points.

However, they were eliminated in the semifinals by Tigres UANL. The defeat proved decisive, as Noriega opted not to continue the project with the coach known as “King Midas” after just one tournament working together.

Fernando Ortiz

Following Vucetich’s departure, Noriega turned to the domestic market and hired a manager who had recently stepped down from Club América.

That was Fernando Ortiz. The Argentine lasted just over a year, the longest stint so far, before being fired in August 2024 after Monterrey was eliminated in the group stage of the Leagues Cup.

Martín Demichelis

On his third attempt to find the right coach, Noriega looked abroad and hired Martín Demichelis, who had just left River Plate.

He came closest to meeting expectations. In the very tournament he arrived, Apertura 2024, Monterrey reached the final but fell short. After inconsistent results and reported tensions with players, Demichelis left the position in May 2025, paving the way for Torrent’s arrival.

Monterrey’s championship drought has become a growing source of pressure around the club. The team has not won Liga MX since December 2019 and has not lifted the CONCACAF Champions Cup since October 2021.