Cruz Azul has fired manager Nicolas Larcamon ahead of the Liga MX playoffs after a nine-match winless streak. The decision was made to intervene and change the team's trend before the Liguilla begins in May.
Key points
Cruz Azul fired manager Nicolas Larcamon on April 22.
The decision followed a 1-1 draw against Queretaro.
The team is on a nine-match winless streak.
Cruz Azul was previously unbeaten in 15 matches.
Mentioned in this story
Nicolas Larcamon
Cruz AzulLiga MX
Cruz Azul will begin the Liguilla, Liga MX's playoffs, the first week of May, but it will do so without Nicolas Larcamon.
The club fired the Argentine manager on April 22 after a 1-1 draw against Queretaro the night before extended La Maquina's winless run to nine matches in a row across all competitions.
"While we recognize this could be a controversial decision because of the time in the season, after a good period of deep and objective analysis (far from the versions given in some portions of the media) we’re convinced that this is the chance to intervene ahead of the Liguilla and try to change the trend and in that way take care of the sporting project," read a portion of the club's statement.
It's a stark reversal from what Larcamon was able to achieve earlier in the year. Before the nine-game skid started, Cruz Azul was unbeaten in 15 contests dating back to mid-January.
Why did Cruz Azul fire Nicolas Larcamon?
But despite those positive results, Larcamon never became beloved with the Cruz Azul fan base. He also clashed with ownership about the unenviable situation of having to play in Puebla - typically a two-hour drive from the club's headquarters in Mexico City - while renovations on the Estadio Azteca were completed ahead of the World Cup.
A draw with Pumas on March 14 seemed to derail La Maquina. The low point likely was a 3-0 loss to LAFC in the first leg of a Concacaf Champions Cup series. The reigning champion of the continental competition, Cruz Azul couldn't find a way back in the second leg, drawing 1-1 and bowing out of the competition after a 4-1 aggregate defeat. Larcamon also struggled in international play in FIFA's Intercontinental Cup, where Cruz Azul fell 2-1 to Flamengo and became the first Concacaf team to fall in the Derby of the Americas match.
Larcamon leaves with a record of 24 wins, 7 defeats and 16 draws.
Spain – 17th appearance
Q&A
Why did Cruz Azul decide to fire Nicolas Larcamon?
Cruz Azul fired Nicolas Larcamon due to a nine-match winless streak, believing it was necessary to intervene before the Liguilla.
What was Cruz Azul's performance before firing Larcamon?
Before the nine-game skid, Cruz Azul was unbeaten in 15 matches starting from mid-January.
When does the Liga MX Liguilla start?
The Liga MX Liguilla is set to begin in the first week of May.
Who will replace Nicolas Larcamon as Cruz Azul's manager?
The article does not specify who will replace Nicolas Larcamon as Cruz Azul's manager.
Related Articles
NFL
Rams could prioritize defense early in draft, says NFL GM
NFL GM hints Rams could prioritize defense over wide receivers in draft.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Feature
How To Watch ONE SAMURAI 1 Live On Wednesday, April 29
ONE SAMURAI 1 is set to premiere live on April 29 across 195 countries!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL
New York Giants draft picks tracker: Updated list of 2026 selections, next pick predictions
Track the New York Giants' 2026 NFL Draft picks and predictions!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Transfer
Report: Man United Target €45m Benfica Midfielder
Manchester United targets Benfica's Richard Rios for €45 million as summer transfer window heats up.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Back from mid-race seizure - Warner Judd on second chance
Jess Warner Judd reflects on her journey after a mid-race seizure and prepares for the London Marathon in 2026.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Back from mid-race seizure - Warner Judd on second chance
Jess Warner Judd shares her journey after a mid-race seizure, aiming for the London Marathon in 2026.
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Ghana – fifth appearance
40 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Haiti – second appearance
Who will replace Nicolas Larcamon as Cruz Azul manager?
Former Cruz Azul defender Joel Huiqui, a cult hero of Mexican soccer who was leading the club's U-21 side, will take over as the interim ahead of Sunday's game with Necaxa and the postseason.
Many of the club's past managers might be candidates the team's fan base would like to see return. Martín Anselmi had an ugly exit, but after struggling with Porto and Botafogo might consider a return to the club. So, too, would Juan Reynoso, a former Cruz Azul player who managed the team to its last league title before an unsuccessful spell coaching the national team of his native Peru.
Vicente Sanchez, the coach who led Cruz Azul to the CCC title after Anselmi's departure - promoted to the first team in a similar way to Huiqui, is unlikely to arrive. He still is employed with Emelec in Ecuador and never gelled with Cruz Azul sporting director Ivan Alonso.
One of Mexico's four "grandes," the club's that historically have won the most trophies and have the most support, Cruz Azul's 2021 title snapped an infamous streak of 24 years without a domestic championship. The 2021 triumph remains their last trophy in Mexico, though it already has booked its place to the 2029 Club World Cup thanks to its 2025 CCC win.
