The Liga MX will have a new champion on the bench
After the elimination of the Águilas del América and Toluca, the remaining clubs have coaches who are going for their first trophy in Mexico
The Clausura 2026 is close to be defined. Four clubs are still in dispute for the national Mexican football trophy. With the elimination of Toluca and Antonio Mohamed, there is a defending champion on the road to the final. Learn the details of the four coaches who will look for their first MX Liga.
Without a doubt the coach who has greater experience is Efraín Juárez. The ex-footballer leads the Pumas of UNAM. The Mexican strategist was champion in C olombia, but in Mexico he had not been able to transcend beyond a Play-In. Until now this is Juárez's best participation on the bench of Mexican football.
The next in discord is the Argentine Gabriel Milito. The Chivas coach of Guadalajara is in his fourth tournament with e l Sacred Flock. This has been his best participation so far. The South American coach is also looking for his first MX Liga.
One of the unexpected participants is Esteban Solari's Pachuca. This is his first season with the Tuzos ensemble and so far he has been able to mesh very well with his p iezas. Solari knows what it means to be champion, because he achieved it in Malaysia with Johor Darul Ta'zim. The Argentinian is looking for his first title in the Liga MX in his debut campaign.
The last coach on the table is Joel Huiqui. In a complex season for Cruz Azul, Huiqui had to assume command of “The Machine” due to the dismissal of Nicolás Larcamón after having finished the regular phase of Clausura 2026. Huiqui has come from eliminating Club Atlas and is seeking his first title in his first foray as main coach in Liguilla.
In general terms, all the coaches who are part of a semifinals for the first time in their career. The Clausura 2026 will be the first Liga MX trophy for any of these four strategists.
Semifinals of the MX Liga
First leg: Wednesday May 13, Stadium Banorte.
Return: Saturday May 16, Stadium Jalisco.

