Pumas’ painful loss to Cruz Azul in the final of the Clausura 2026 not only left the university squad shaken, but also raised questions about the future of Efraín Juárez as the team’s head coach.
Although the board of directors of Universidad Nacional maintains the continuity of the Mexican coach as a priority, reports of possible offers from Europe and MLS have begun to generate uncertainty within the club. In this scenario, the name of Guillermo Almada already appears as one of the main options to take over the auriazul project in case of an unexpected departure.
Efraín Juárez brought Pumas back into the limelight
Despite losing the title to Cruz Azul with a dramatic late goal, Efraín Juárez’s work during the Clausura 2026 has been widely recognized.
Pumas finished as the overall leader of the tournament ahead of teams such as América, Chivas, Tigres and Toluca.
Something that few imagined at the beginning of the season.
He also managed to lead the university team to its first Liga MX final in more than a decade.
The Mexican coach’s merit takes on even more value considering that the Auriazul squad was not among the most economically powerful.
Nor among the favorites to compete for the championship.
Currently, Juarez is still under contract for six more months.
The board’s intention is for him to continue at the head of the team for at least the next tournament (Filed as: Pumas analyzes replacement for Efraín Juárez).
Guillermo Almada appears on university’s radar
However, rumors of possible international offers for Efrain Juarez have forced Pumas to analyze alternatives.
According to reports around the club, Guillermo Almada is one of the coaches that the university board is most interested in.
This is due to his experience and proven success in Mexican soccer.
The Uruguayan coach is currently without a team after his spell at Real Oviedo in Spain.
He failed to avoid relegation in his first season in LaLiga.
Despite this difficult experience in Europe, Almada maintains an enormous prestige within Liga MX.
Thanks to the results obtained with Santos Laguna and Pachuca (Filed as: Pumas analyzes replacement for Efraín Juárez).
Guillermo Almada's name is already appearing as one of the main options
QuéOnnda.com
The titles that back Almada
During his time with Santos Laguna, Guillermo Almada turned the team into one of the most attractive teams in Mexican soccer.
And he managed to play in a Liga MX final.
Subsequently, with Pachuca, he won both the Liga MX and the Concachampions.
Consolidating his position as one of the most respected trainers in the country.
His name was even mentioned as a candidate to coach the Mexican National Team after the World Cup in Qatar 2022.
However, the Mexican Soccer Federation finally opted for Diego Cocca (Filed as: Pumas analyzes replacement for Efraín Juárez).
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
