Liga MX: Chivas start ‘King Midas’ era with triumph
Vucetich returns to Liga MX sidelines with victory
First impressions are important and Chivas fans must have loved what they saw on Saturday as new coach Víctor Manuel Vucetich guided Guadalajara to victory in his debut. The veteran manager offered additional encouragement after the club’s 2-1 win over Atlético de San Luis, declaring “this team can continue to improve.”
There’s little doubt that Vucetich – nicknamed “King Midas” for his knack for turning teams into winners – knows what he’s talking about. The new coach only just met with his players on Thursday, two days before the game. As such, he mostly stuck with the game plan utilized by interim coach Marcelo Michel who guided the Chivas to their first win of the season on Wednesday.
With 12 games remaining, Vucetich has plenty of time to work his magic and achieve the front office’s mandate of a Top 4 finish. Although the manager will surely tinker with the roster there is talent aplenty (even if a European team comes calling for striker J.J. Macías).
There will be new tactical formations to install and game situation strategies to practice. Team discipline – on and off the field – will be emphasized, as well.
More from Playing for 90
- Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
- Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
- Barcelona put five past Real Betis
- Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
- Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory
Still, the circumstances would seem providential. With his impressive record of success (five Liga MX titles, three Copa MX trophies and three Concacaf Champions League crowns), “King Midas” already has the respect of the locker room and one of his strengths is his ability to shore up a team’s self-confidence.
Another is his talent at developing youngsters; among his proteges are “Tecatito” Corona, Orbelín Pineda and Luis Romo. So with a youthful roster at his disposal, “King Midas” will be expected to shape these Chivas into trophy hunters.
Joining Vucetich on the Chivas bench are assistants Segio Almaguer and Milton Graniolatti, his lieutenants at Querétaro as well.
Here are a few more things to know about the 65-year-old Vucetich:
The Chivas are the 13th different team he has coached, not counting the two games as manager of El Tri in 2013. This includes two stints each at León, UAG Tecos, Tigres and Querétaro.
“King Midas” is one of only two Liga MX coaches (the legendary “Nacho” Trelles is the other) to have won league titles with four different teams.
Vucetich was the first Chivas coach to earn a win in his debut since Matías Almeyda’s first game in charge back in 2015. After the acrimonious departure of Almeyda in June 2018, José Cardozo, Tomás Boy and the recently fired Luis Fernando Tena each failed to start their term with a “W.”