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Chivas face tumultuous summer after wildcard flop

By Thomas Buckley

The Chivas are preparing for a roster shuffle this summer. (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images)
The Chivas are preparing for a roster shuffle this summer. (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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Chivas tumultuous summer
Chivas general manager Ricardo Peláez (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /

Peláez feeling the pressure?

Turmoil has been a constant at Guadalajara since Ricardo Peláez took over as GM. Personnel decisions have blown up in his face and coaches were left to flounder. Luis Fernando Tena lasted barely one season and Vucetich – aka “King Midas” – has not been able to demonstrate his golden touch. It was thought Vucetich would be let go after the Chivas fell way short of expectations in the Guardianes 2021, but he will stay on … unless …

Last month, Universal Deportes reported that Vucetich and Peláez were already fighting after the coach objected to the decision to hold summer camp in Barra de Navidad, Nayarit, instead of in Cancún as originally planned. Vucetich told Peláez that the hotel in the Nayarit resort town was undesirable, but promptly left on vacation.

The players were undergoing physicals in Guadalajara last week before training camp opens while the front office scrambled to improve the roster.

The first report to emerge (on May 11) was that the Chivas had acquired Vladimir Moragrega who tore up the Liga de Expansión (Mexico’s second division) with Atlante. The acquisition of the 22-year-old striker was seen as a reach, desperation even. The front office quickly dispelled the story as fake news.

But the real wheeling and dealing was hampered by financial issues. The club does not have the funds to chase the players it wants, and needs. The money Peláez splashed around at the outset of his term is still in the debit column.

The Chivas still owe Necaxa millions for Jesús Angulo, Christian Calderón and Alexis Peña. Not only is this an albatross for the club, but it opens Peláez up for criticism since only Angulo has been a steady contributor. Calderón was seen as a budding star at left back but he has been in and out of Vucetich’s doghouse (mostly in) and Peña was sent out on loan to Cruz Azul after violating team rules.

As such, Guadalajara is offering to pay off its debt by sending players on free loan deals. Among those mentioned are young midfielders Fernando Beltrán and César Huerta as well as unused right back José Madueña (another Peláez acquisition that didn’t pan out).

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