The UNAM Pumas made official this Sunday the arrival of Argentine Esteban Solari as their new technical director for the 2026 Apertura Tournament of the MX League.

Through its official channels, the university club confirmed the return of the person who defended the Auriazules colors as a footballer between 2007 and 2008.

"The Universidad Nacional club reports that Esteban Solari is the new coach of the Pumas first team. The strategist joins the team after having been a player for this institution in 2007 and 2008. Welcome home!", the team wrote through its social networks.

Esteban Solari takes the place of Efraín Juárez

The 46-year-old Argentine strategist arrives at the institution to replace Efraín Juárez, who left the position after an outstanding campaign in the Clausura 2026.

Under the command of Juárez, the university students reached the leadership of the tournament and played in the final of the final phase, although they ended up losing to Cruz Azul last May.

The Auriazul board is now betting on Solari to continue the sports project and keep the team among the protagonists of Mexican soccer.

Solari's experience in Liga MX and abroad

Before taking on the challenge with Pumas, Solari coached Pachuca during the previous semester. With the Tuzos he managed to qualify for the final phase of Clausura 2026, although he was eliminated precisely by the university team.

His coaching career began in 2023 at the helm of Johor Darul Takzim, one of the most important clubs in the Malaysia Super League.

He later had a stint at Everton de Viña del Mar, in Chile, during 2024. He later returned to Argentina to coach Godoy Cruz, before embarking on his first adventure in Mexican soccer with Pachuca.

From globetrotting player to Pumas coach

During his time as a professional footballer, Esteban Solari built an extensive international career. He debuted with Estudiantes de La Plata and later played in clubs in different countries.

Among the teams he defended are Chioggia from Italy, Lierse from Belgium, Almería from Spain, Skoda Xanthi from Greece, Dalian Yifang from China, Aucas from Ecuador and Pumas UNAM themselves, an institution to which he now returns to direct.

The immediate challenge: ensuring the continuity of the figures

One of Esteban Solari's main challenges will be to consolidate the sports project and convince key players to stay on the squad.

Among the most important names are the Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, the Ecuadorian midfielder Pedro Vite and the Panamanian midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla, fundamental elements for the club's aspirations in the Apertura 2026.

The permanence of these figures could be decisive for Pumas to aspire to fight for the top positions in Liga MX next season.