Three-time Liga MX champions eye change of direction after flopping under ex-Real Madrid star
Having failed to reach the postseason in the Apertura 2025, Necaxa is seeking out a replacement for Fernando Gago.
In Mexico, there’s a saying: “Some wood just won’t take the varnish.” It means that if someone has already had a bad experience, chances are they’ll repeat it.
Ahead of the Apertura 2025 tournament, another Liga MX club - Necaxa - put their full trust in Argentine head coach Fernando Gago to turn things around. But that didn’t happen. Los Rayos wrapped up the regular season in 13th place with 17 points, posting four wins, five draws, and eight losses.
Who could replace Gago at Necaxa?
Looking ahead to 2026, the Aguascalientes-based team is already searching for a new boss. The leading candidate could be a South American tactician with solid numbers whose current team, FC Juárez, has qualified for the Apertura 2025 play-in: Uruguayan Martín Varini, who has been a revelation in Liga MX.
Varini is in his second short tournament in charge of Juárez. The Bravos are to face Tijuana in the play-in, with a direct ticket to the Apertura 2025 quarterfinals at stake. Juárez secured eighth place in the regular-season standings, accumulating 23 points from six wins, fix draws, and six defeats.
In the previous Liga MX tournament, Varini’s squad had six victories, six draws, and five losses. Journalist César Merlo broke the news about the Uruguayan’s possible move to Necaxa.
Meanwhile, Gago has once again failed to steer a team to calmer waters. The Argentine comes off a rough stint with Chivas Guadalajara, couldn’t deliver results with his beloved Boca Juniors, and now, he couldn’t lift Necaxa’s level either.
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