The three candidates to take over as Cruz Azul head coach

With the most pressure‑packed stretch of the Liga MX’s Clausura 2026 about to get underway, the transfer rumor mill is already heating up - and all eyes are on Cruz Azul, which made the bold decision to part ways with head coach Nicolás Larcamón at this stage of the tournament, before he had even completed a full year in charge.

Regardless of how the Clausura postseason plays out under interim manager Joel Huiqui, officials at La Noria are actively weighing their options for the club’s next permanent head coach. According to ESPN, the three leading candidates share two defining traits: South American roots and a proven championship résumé in Liga MX.

Who’s the favorite to take over at Cruz Azul?

Per the report, the name that resonates most strongly within Cruz Azul’s front office is Guillermo Almada, currently in charge of Spain’s Real Oviedo, a side fighting to avoid relegation. Almada is no stranger to Mexican soccer, having previously managed Santos Laguna and Pachuca. With Los Tuzos, the Uruguayan lifted the Apertura 2022 title and the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, as well as the Derby of the Americas and Challenger Cup at the Intercontinental Cup 2024. He also led Pachuca into the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, further bolstering his international credentials.

ESPN adds that once the current LaLiga season comes to an end, Cruz Azul’s leadership plans to reach out to Almada to assess his interest in a return to Mexican soccer. Should his answer be favorable, the club would then need to enter negotiations with Grupo Pachuca, as Almada remains under contract with the ownership group that operates both Pachuca and León.

The other chief Cruz Azul candidates

Another name under consideration is Matías Almeyda, the Argentine manager who defined an era at Chivas Guadalajara nearly a decade ago before continuing his career in the United States and Europe after leaving Verde Valle. Almeyda is currently a free agent following his dismissal from Sevilla in Spain.

At the moment, Almeyda is viewed as a secondary option, largely due to reports suggesting that he is prioritizing staying in Europe. That sentiment is compounded by interest from Monterrey, who are reportedly exploring him as a potential addition after the disastrous tournament they just endured.

Finally, the most distant of the three possibilities appears to be Antonio Mohamed. The current Toluca head coach hardly needs an introduction, having won Liga MX titles with Tijuana, Club América and Monterrey, in addition to his back‑to‑back championships with Toluca.

This is far from the first time Mohamed has been linked to Cruz Azul, but he has repeatedly stated that in the not‑too‑distant future he intends to take a step back from the intense stress that comes with the profession. That reality represents the core challenge for Cruz Azul: even though his contract with Toluca is nearing its end, Mohamed’s understanding with the club is clear - if he leaves, it will be to rest, not to immediately take on another high‑pressure project.

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