Pumas struggle to lure ‘Tuca’ Ferretti
The Brazilian coach is one of the candidates to take over the reins at Pumas but there have been difficulties striking a deal.
After being left out of the 2022 Aperura play-off round, Pumas’ board of directors have started making changes to the team with the hope of gaining better results in the Clausura 2023. With the departure of Argentine coach Andrés Lillini, the club is now looking to bring in a new technical director in the winter transfer market.
One of the candidates to take the reins of the Auriazules is the Brazilian Ricardo ‘Tuca’ Ferrertti. The 68-year-old has previously held the coaching post at Pumas on two occasions - leading the team to be crowned Clausura champions in his second stint at the club in 2009. According to ESPN, a deal with Ferrertti was practically sewn up but it seemed that negotiations have since stalled.
The same source reports that talks have not ended completely, but economic issues are the reason why a deal has failed to materialize. Faced with such a situation, the high command of the seven-time Mexican champions are now looking at other options, including Argentinean coach Ariel Holan, who spent ;last year in charge at León.
The Pumas board are looking for an experienced coach - one who will be able to avoid poor results in the next tournament. When the Clausura 2023 gets underway in the New Year, UNAM will not figure among the top seeds.
Ricardo Ferretti took charge of Pumas halfway through 2006, when the team was going through difficult times. Little by little, he built a competitive team. In the Apertura 2007 they were able to reach the final only to lose to Atlante but two years later in 2009, Pumas finally achieved glory after beating Tuzos del Pachuca at Hidalgo Stadium.