Pumas Have a New Head Coach, and Yes… It’s Another Familiar Face | OneFootball

Pumas didn’t waste much time finding Efraín Juárez’s replacement. On Sunday night, the club officially unveiled Esteban “Tano” Solari as its new head coach ahead of the Liga MX Apertura 2026 season, handing the keys to a man who, not long ago, was roaming the touchline with Pachuca.

Because if there’s one thing Mexican clubs love almost as much as changing managers, it’s hiring someone who already knows where the coffee machine is.

Following Juárez’s surprise departure to Hungarian football, Pumas once again turned to a coach with deep ties to the institution. Solari isn’t just another Argentine arriving with a tactical notebook under his arm—he actually wore the famous blue and gold shirt during his playing days and left enough good memories to earn another shot, this time from the dugout.

Liga MX’s coaching carousel has been spinning at full speed this summer. Solari and Pachuca couldn’t agree on a new contract, leaving the Hidalgo club to move for Benjamín Mora. At the same time, despite leading Pumas to a runner-up finish only months ago, Juárez and the university board went their separate ways after the Mexican accepted the opportunity to coach in Europe.

One coach exits. Another one walks in. Business as usual.

Ironically, Solari’s first official match as Pumas manager couldn’t have been scripted better. His debut will come against none other than his former club, Pachuca, on Saturday, July 18, in Matchday 1 of the Apertura 2026 at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario. Liga MX certainly has a flair for dramatic season premieres.

Back Where It All Started

For many younger fans, Solari may simply be the latest coach through the revolving door. Older Pumas supporters, however, remember him as a striker who barely needed an invitation to score.

Nicknamed “Tano,” Esteban is the nephew of legendary coach Jorge “Indio” Solari and the brother of Santiago Solari. He first arrived in Mexico in 2007 as a forward for Pumas and quickly became one of the league’s most clinical finishers.

During his short but memorable spell with Universidad, he scored 25 goals in just 40 appearances, turning himself into a fan favorite through sheer efficiency rather than longevity. Before defenders could fully figure him out, he packed his bags for Spain to join Almería.

His playing career also took him across Argentina, Spain, Greece, Cyprus and Ecuador, giving him a passport that probably deserves its own trophy cabinet.

Coaching eventually became his next chapter. Solari began working with Argentina’s youth national teams before building experience in Malaysia, Chile, Argentina and, most recently, Mexico with Pachuca.

His time with Los Tuzos was quietly impressive. Across 23 matches, he posted 13 victories, four draws and only six defeats, producing numbers solid enough to earn another opportunity in Liga MX—even if it happened to come wearing different colors.

“Welcome Home”

Pumas emphasized the emotional aspect of the appointment in its official statement.

“The Argentine coach returns to the university club after wearing these colors as a player in 2007 and 2008. Following his managerial experience in Malaysia, Chile, Argentina and Mexico, Esteban Solari is back where he belongs. Welcome home, Esteban Solari!”

Football loves reunions almost as much as it loves transfer rumors, and this one certainly checks both boxes.

So… Where Did Efraín Juárez Go?

Juárez leaves Pumas after restoring credibility to a club that had spent too many seasons flirting with mediocrity instead of trophies.

Under his leadership, Pumas reached the Clausura 2026 final, re-entered the title conversation and secured qualification for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. Not a bad résumé for someone now heading overseas.

The Mexican coach has officially taken charge of Győri ETO FC in Hungary, where he’ll attempt to guide the reigning league champions through the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds.

It also marks the first European managerial challenge of Juárez’s career—a leap that few Mexican coaches have been able to make.

His final numbers with Pumas paint the picture of a successful tenure:

Now it’s Solari’s turn.

The expectations are high, the honeymoon will probably last until the first bad result, and the pressure in Ciudad Universitaria never takes weekends off. Welcome to the job.

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