Pumas Act Fast to Appoint Gustavo Lema's Successor | OneFootball

On Wednesday last week, Gustavo Lema became the first manager in Liga MX to face the axe after a 4-2 loss to Tijuana put a nail in the coffin.

In response to that loss, Pumas began the search for his successor and announced that Lema would be replaced by Efraín Juárez.

Juárez, 37, was a defensive midfielder in his playing days even spending his youth with Pumas where he made 72 appearances. His career lasted over 20 years before hanging the boots up in 2019. Most of his career was spent in Mexico, representing Club América and Monterrey, representing Los Rayados 139 times in five years.

In 2010, Juárez made a famous move to Glasgow Celtic from Los Universitarios but struggled to cement a first-team position. Spending a brief part of his youth with La Masia in Barcelona, he enjoyed much of his career abroad, going on loan to Real Zaragoza in Spain before heading to Canada with the Vancouver Whitecaps for a season, but he would end his career in the surprise destination of Norway, playing for Eliteserien side Vålerenga.

Changing the locker room for the managerial office, Juárez gained four years of assistant management experience. His path began in New York, joining the Reb Bull club before stints in Belgium with Standard Liege and Club Brugge.

Atlético Nacional gave Juarez his first break in the world of management, taking charge of Colombia's most successful club. Despite the initial concerns over his lack of experience, the former Mexican international handed the club the Copa Colombia title and its 18th league title. Juárez went from a nobody to a legend within the space of four months, becoming one of three managers ever to do the double in Colombia.

His perfect start to life in Medellín was tipped to be a glimpse into the future, but Juárez stepped down from his post at the helm right after the title success due to disagreements with the club's board.

Now, Juárez returns to a club that he called home as a kid. Joining the club at the age of 13, his move to Celtic was cheered by the club's fans as a representation of the talent growing through their ranks. With his return, fans are hopeful once more that he can guide them back to the glory days which have long evaded them.

During his playing days, Juárez lifted the Liga MX title twice, once with América in 2013 after doing so with his boyhood club in 2009. Since then, UNAM has been crowned champions of Mexico only once, winning the 2011 Clausura. Meaning that they are suffering through a 14 year dry patch without lifting Mexico's most illustrious trophy.