🤔Why did Meneghini drop Leandro Fernández? | OneFootball

🤔Why did Meneghini drop Leandro Fernández? | OneFootball

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OneFootball

·8 January 2026

🤔Why did Meneghini drop Leandro Fernández?

Article image:🤔Why did Meneghini drop Leandro Fernández?

The arrival of Francisco "Paqui" Meneghini to the bench of Universidad de Chile has caused its first major upheaval. The coach confirmed that Leandro Fernández will not be considered for the 2026 season, forcing the Argentine forward to seek a loan move despite having one more year on his contract. The decision has unleashed the fury of the fans, but it hides deep reasons behind the locker room doors.

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A fractured locker room and questioned attitudes

According to information from RedGol, Fernández's departure is due to an irreparable break within the squad. Although he had the support of the foreign bloc, there was a marked distance with the local leaders and the youth players. He is criticized for putting his personal interests above those of the club, showing poor attitudes when being a substitute and lacking support for homegrown players.


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Article image:🤔Why did Meneghini drop Leandro Fernández?

The end of a controversial figure

For a sector of the squad, his departure means "relieving" an environment filled with friction. Criticisms point to his distant attitude towards the club's promising players, which undermined his status as a positive leader. With this decision, Meneghini demonstrates total authority, aiming to align a divided locker room at the start of a new process that prioritizes group discipline over individualities.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.


📸 DANIEL RAMALHO - AFP or licensors

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