Introduction to Nicolás Larcamón and His New Role
Nicolás Larcamón, the Argentine manager, was officially introduced as Cruz Azul’s new head coach for the Apertura 2025 Liga MX tournament. According to reports, he signed a two-year contract with an option for a third year.
Larcamón’s Coaching Journey in Mexico
Since arriving in Mexico to coach Puebla during the Clausura 2021, Larcamón has managed three teams in Liga MX. He surprised many by leading Puebla to the semifinals in Clausura 2023. In Clausura 2023, he joined León and won the Concacaf Champions League. In Clausura 2025, he signed with Necaxa and guided them to their first Liguilla directa since 2019.
Acknowledging the High Standards at Cruz Azul
At 40 years old, Larcamón understands that taking on Cruz Azul presents a much greater challenge than his previous coaching roles in Liga MX:
“Understanding perfectly that the level of expectation at Cruz Azul is much higher and with the conviction that we are capable, I feel a very good synergy. It has been several years in the league, and one knows the determinant components for having a great semester, the arguments, and above all, deserving to be that team that achieves those titles.”
Cruz Azul’s New Coaching Staff
Victor Velazquez, Cruz Azul’s president, accompanied Larcamón during his presentation along with his technical team: Javier Berges (assistant), Miguel Vásquez (video analyst), and Juan Cruz Mónaco (physical trainer). Joel Huiqui, who was Vicente Sánchez’s assistant in the last semester, will also join the team.
Larcamón’s Objectives for Cruz Azul
Larcamón emphasized his two primary objectives: establishing a dominant playing style and competing for titles:
“In terms of objectives, it’s not something the board told me; it’s about the intention of building something from a footballing perspective, but to be that competitive team every day. Cruz Azul demands it.”
“From a footballing standpoint, we are clear on the line that Cruz Azul has been pursuing for several tournaments: to be a team that expresses something representing much of the history and fans, that is dominant and protagonist to then achieve the objectives we have set.”
Cruz Azul’s Recent Achievements and Expectations
Under the guidance of former coach Vicente Sánchez, Cruz Azul recently won the Concacaf Champions League and finished third in Liga MX’s general table. They were also the leading points team during the 2024-25 season, earning a $1 million economic bonus.
Despite these accomplishments, rumors suggested that the board sought a coach with a more aggressive playing style, similar to Larcamón’s approach with less resourceful teams, particularly in Puebla and Necaxa.
Larcamón’s Ambitions for Cruz Azul
Larcamón expressed his desire to create a memorable team:
“The challenge is to achieve that version of a team that becomes timeless. We are truly tasked with building something that will be remembered for many years in our process, as it happened in previous teams. It’s a bit of that personal desire that today marks the beginning of a stage that I hope will be widely remembered over time,” he emphasized.
Upcoming Tournaments for Cruz Azul
In the second half of 2025, Cruz Azul will participate in both the Liga MX Apertura tournament and the Leagues Cup. Their first-round opponents are Seattle Sounders, Los Angeles Galaxy, and Colorado Rapids, aiming to reach the quarterfinals.
Larcamón’s Vision for Cruz Azul’s Playing Style
Larcamón aims to connect with the Celeste fans through his team’s performance:
“Today marks the beginning of the most important process of my career. I arrive at a place where I hope for an extensive process, most importantly, with strong connections to our fans. I believe that the best way to achieve this connection lies in what we express on the field – a proactive game with commitment, excellent ball control, aggression, cooperation, and humble ambition to become a dominant force.”
Nicolás Larcamón’s Coaching Career and Future with Cruz Azul
Larcamón’s only title so far is the Concacaf Champions League 2023 with León. His goal is to expand his trophy collection alongside Cruz Azul.
