Necaxa confirmed this Monday that Uruguayan Martin Varini will be their new head coach starting with the Clausura 2026 tournament, thus marking the beginning of a new era after the departure of Fernando Gago. The announcement was accompanied by a video in which the coach, already wearing the red and white jacket, appeared signing his contract. “Hello 'Rayos', I'm already home to immediately start a new tournament. Let's go all out,” the manager expressed in the message.

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Varini's arrival comes after a difficult end to the season for the team. Gago, who had been hired with high expectations, ended up leaving Necaxa in thirteenth place during the 2025 Apertura, out of the play-in round and without any chance of competing for the final phase. His tenure culminated in a draw against Mazatlan on the final matchday, a result that left them four points shy of the play-in and sealed his departure, as announced by the club on November 26. A young profile for a project seeking stability. At just 34 years old, Varini arrives at Los Rayos after a standout stint with Juarez FC, a club that typically operates with one of the most modest budgets in Liga MX. There, he led the team to the Apertura quarterfinals, a feat that caught the attention of the Necaxa management despite their elimination against the eventual champion, Toluca. His style, based on a solid defensive structure and a patient attack, convinced the club that he was the right person to take on a project that needed stability and results. The Uruguayan began his coaching career at Rentistas in 2021 and then managed Defensor Sporting, with whom he won a Copa Libertadores title in the 2023 season. Afterward, in 2024, he made the leap to international football, joining Athletico Paranaense in Brazil, where he accumulated eight wins, five draws, and six losses in 19 matches. His time at Juarez further solidified his place in Mexican football. In 42 matches managed between the Clausura and Apertura tournaments, he achieved a balanced record: 14 wins, 14 draws, and 14 losses. This was enough to position him as one of the most promising young coaches in the region.

Now, his challenge will be to qualify Necaxa directly for the final phase, something the club hasn't achieved since the 2019 Apertura. It's a significant challenge for a traditional club that, throughout its history, has experienced two relegations and multiple restructurings, including moving from Mexico City to Aguascalientes in 2003.

The End of Gago's Cycle

Gago leaves the club with a record of 4 wins, 5 draws, and 8 losses in 20 matches managed. This was his second stint in Liga MX, following his time with Chivas in 2014, where he accumulated 17 wins, 9 draws, and 12 losses before embarking on a new cycle at Boca Juniors. His time with Necaxa failed to take off and is once again marked by inconsistency, a pattern that has accompanied his recent spells on various benches.