The UNAM Pumas have a possible replacement for Efraín Juárez
The continuity of Efraín Juárez in command of the UNAM Pumas is in doubt. From the Mexican team they already have a possible replacement on the table
The UNAM Pumas were on the verge of obtaining the 2026 Clausura of the MX League. Cruz Azul kept the title, but Efraín Juárez's work was recognized. However, in the midst of doubts about Juárez's continuity, the UNAM Pumas board would already analyze its next strategist.
Efraín Juárez has left very good records with the Auriazul team. The Mexican strategist took over the reins of the UNAM Pumas in March 2025. Since then Juárez has directed 60 games from the Aztec team's bench. Juárez maintains a balance of 24 wins, 19 draws and 17 losses.
Although he does not have such outstanding numbers, Efraín Juárez has shown that he can be a winning strategist. In his first experience in Colombia, the Mexican coach won a double with Atlético Nacional. With the Pumas he was on the verge of winning his third trophy in just over two years
Juárez's good performance in Clausura 2026 has put him on the radar of some clubs in Europe. The Mexican himself has confirmed these links. The Aztec coach has not taken on a project in Europe as a head coach. In this sense, a proposal from the Old Continent could end his time with the Pumas.
The possible replacement of Efraín Juárez
Given the uncertainty about the future of Efraín Juárez's project in the UNAM Pumas, the managers of the Aztec team would already be moving in the market. The selected coach would be Guillermo Almada.
“Given the possible departure of Efraín Juárez, the Pumas board would have already set to work to find his replacement and the name of Guillermo Almada has begun to be mentioned to take the reins of the team, so he would return to Liga MX after his time at Real Oviedo,” reports the Heraldo Deportes report.
Almada's most recent process was with Real Oviedo in Spain. The Uruguayan strategist could not meet the goal of the Grupo Pachuca team: to keep Oviedo in the first division. The Uruguayan coach coached 22 games this season and left a record of 4 wins, 7 draws and 11 losses.
However, Guillermo Almada is a proven coach in Mexican soccer. The Montevideo-born strategist has directed more than 250 games on the bench of Liga MX teams. This is one of the reasons why Club América would also have him on their wish list.