Tag Archives: CONCACAF Champions League

Andrés Guardado Signs with Liga MX’s León

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Andrés Guardado is making his triumphant return to Mexico.

The 37-year-old Mexican professional footballer, a midfielder who retired from the national team in 2023 after a record-breaking 179 appearances for Mexico, has been signed by Liga MX’s León side.

Andrés GuardadoThe former Mexico captain and five-time World Cup participant is returning to Liga MX after last playing for boyhood club Atlas in 2007. 

After leaving Atlas, Guardado had a lengthy 17-year run in European club soccer that took him through Deportivo La Coruña, Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven, and most recently, Real Betis.

Guardado stands as the Mexican with the most seasons in European soccer and as the all-time non-domestic leader in appearances (218) with Real Betis.

“The Green and White Captain has been key in the sporting growth in recent years. With him, the team has qualified for European competitions four times and also won the Copa del Rey in 2022,” Real Betis said in a statement.

“The Club would like to effusively thank Guardado for his services and wish him all the best in the future.”

Under the guidance of new manager Jorge Bava, León kicked off the 2024 Clausura season on Wednesday with a 2-1 loss at home to Tigres.

Earlier in December, the 2023 Concacaf Champions League winners were knocked out in their debut match at the Club World Cup after a 1-0 loss to Urawa Red Diamonds.

Diego Alonso Named New Head Coach of Sevilla FC

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Diego Alonso is taking the helm in Andalucia…

Sevilla has appointed Diego Alonso as their new head coach.

Diego AlonsoThe former Inter Miami CF manager has replaced José Luis Mendilibar, who was dismissed on Monday after the team’s poor start to the season.

Alonso will take over the team for the remainder of the campaign.

The former Atletico Madrid player had been without a job since stepping down as coach of Uruguay in December after the country’s failure to progress past the group stages of the 2022 World Cup.

This will be Alonso’s first coaching experience in Europe.

He has coached Peñarol and Bella Vista in his native Uruguay as well as Paraguayan sides Olimpia and Guarani.

His longest coaching spell was at Mexican side Pachuca, whom he led to the Mexican championship in 2016.

He also won the CONCACAF Champions League versus Pachuca and Monterrey.

Alonso joined Inter Miami ahead of the club’s inaugural season in 2019 but results were mixed and he left by mutual consent in January 2021.

Later that year, he took over Uruguay’s national team.

Alonso has inherited a Sevilla team that has won just two of its opening eight LaLiga games.

Saturday’s 2-2 league draw at Rayo Vallecano left the club in 14th position in the standings with eight points from a possible 24.

Jesus “Tecatito” Corona Rejoining Liga MX’s Monterrey Club

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Jesus “Tecatito” Corona is coming home…

The 30-year-old Mexican soccer player has left LaLiga‘s Sevilla FC and ended his 10-year run in Europe after rejoining Liga MX‘s Monterrey, both clubs have confirmed.

Jesus "Tecatito" CoronaAccording to EFE, the deal for Corona is a three-year contract with Monterrey, who paid around €3.5 million to Sevilla for the ‘El Tri‘ player.

After time abroad with Sevilla, FC Porto and FC Twente since 2013, Corona has returned to a Monterrey side that provided him with his professional debut in 2010.

As part of a Rayados squad that claimed a Liga MX championship in the 2010 Apertura and three consecutive CONCACAF Champions League titles in 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13, the pacey winger quickly made a name for himself and shortly was called to the Mexico national team.

In the Old Continent, Corona earned: Best XI selection for the 2014-2015 Eredivisie season, three Primeira Liga titles, two Taça de Portugal championships, two Portuguese Super Cups, MVP selection for the 2019-2020 season, and a Europa League trophy in 2022.

During his time with Sevilla, Corona suffered a lengthy injury last summer after fracturing his fibula, thereby ruling him out of the 2022 World Cup for Mexico. The winger eventually returned to play for his club in May of 2023.

Rodolfo Pizarro Returning to Liga MX’s Monterrey Side

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Rodolfo Pizarro is returning to his old stomping grounds…

Major League Soccer side Inter Miami CF has loaned the 27-year-old Mexican professional footballer and Mexico international to Liga MX club Monterrey, the clubs announced on Tuesday.

Rodolfo Pizarro

It marks a return to Los Rayados for Pizarro, who initially left the club to join David Beckham‘s Miami side as a Designated Player for its inaugural 2020 season. The loan includes an option to make the move permanent.

“This loan gives the club more options to continue managing our roster. We are working tirelessly to acquire the right players that will help us attain our objectives moving forward. We’re glad to have found an opportunity for Rodolfo to continue developing in Mexico and wish him well during his loan,” said Inter Miami CF Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson.

Pizarro appeared in 47 matches and tallied seven goals and 12 assists during his time at Miami, playing under coaches Diego Alonso and Phil Neville. He played 64 games with nine goals during his first stint with Monterrey.

The Tampico, Tamaulipas native won a Liga MX title in each of his stints with Pachuca, Chivas and Monterrey and also won the CONCACAF Champions League with the latter two sides.

By joining the defending CONCACAF Champions League winners for a second time, Pizarro is set to participate with Monterrey at the Club World Cup in February.

Santiago Solari Named New Manager at Club America

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Santiago Solari has joined the Club…

Club America has announced that it has hired the 44-year-old Argentine professional football manager and former player, a former Real Madrid manager, to fill the team’s vacant manager position.

Santiago Solari

The Liga MX giants fired Miguel Herrera on December 21 after the club crashed out of the Liga MX playoffs against bitter rival Chivas and then fell to LAFC in the semifinal of the CONCACAF Champions League on December 18.

Solari managed Real Madrid for a short spell between November 2018 and March 2019, before being sacked and replaced by Zinedine Zidane.

At club level, Solari played for River Plate, Real Madrid and Inter Milan, among others. He also made 11 appearances for the Argentina national team.

Solari will oversee his first match for Club America against Atletico San Luis when the Liga MX Clausura begins on January 9.

Diego Alonso Named Head Coach of Inter Miami CF

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Diego Alonsois headed to Miami…

Inter Miami CF has appointed the 44-year-old Uruguayan football coach and former player as their first ever head coach, the club has announced.

Diego Alonso

Alonso most recently served as head coach for CF Monterrey in Liga MX, where he led them to the 2019 CONCACAF Champions Leaguetitle.

“In Diego we found a manager that fits our culture and has a strong desire to build a winning club for our fans,” the club’s sporting director Paul McDonoughsaid in a statement.

“He brings a lot of experience and championship-winning mentality as we begin our drive to be among the best clubs in the Americas. We have big aspirations for our club and believe Diego has the right drive, passion and leadership to accomplish our goals.”

Prior to coaching Monterrey, Alonso guided Pachuca to the CONCACAF Champions League crown in 2017. He also coached clubs in Paraguay and Uruguay before moving to Mexico.

Inter Miami’s inaugural season opens on March 1 at LAFC.

The club also announced the signings of defender Denso Ulysse and goalkeeper Drake Callenderlast week, while they also traded for United States international Juan Agudelo.