High-Flying Tigres Sack Veljko Paunović | OneFootball

This week has sparked a wave of managerial changes, but the most shocking came from Monterrey, as Tigres confirmed the departure of Veljko Paunović.

In Mexico City and Guadalajara, other managerial sackings came as Pumas announced Gustavo Lema's departure whilst Oscar Garcia was also released from his duties at Chivas.

Paunovic, 47, took charge of the club in June 2024 after a year in Guadalajara with Chivas. In his eight months with UANL, Tigres finished the Apertura season in third only beaten by Cruz Azul and Toluca. Despite their regular season form, they fell at the first hurdle of the Liguilla after losing to San Luis.

Their form in the Apertura made them one of the favourites to lift the Clausura, and that has shown in the performances. Ten games into the season and they are once again in third, having won six times, drawn once and lost three games.

As for the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Tigres will face Cincinnati FC in the second round, with the sides vying for a spot in the quarterfinals. In the opening round, Paunović's side overturned a first-leg loss to Real Esteli of Nicaragua.

The decision for Paunović's sacking remains unclear given that the club are fighting at the top end of the table, but reports suggest there had been a major falling out between the ownership and the Serbian.