Background on Jaime Lozano and His Tenure with Pachuca
Jaime Lozano, known as ‘Jimmy,’ was recently dismissed by Pachuca just ten days before the Play-In stage of the Apertura 2025 Liga MX tournament. The decision came shortly after Pachuca, also known as “Los Tuzos,” concluded their regular season with a 1-0 loss against Santos Laguna on November 10, 2025.
Lozano’s Achievements and Challenges
Despite the loss, Pachuca advanced to the playoff stage, securing a spot in the Play-In as the ninth-place team. This guarantees them at least one more match in the tournament, scheduled for November 20, 2025, against Pumas, the tenth-ranked team. If Pachuca wins at home in Estadio Hidalgo, they will compete for the eighth and final spot in the Liguilla del Apertura 2025.
Lozano took charge of Pachuca this summer, leaving with a record of 24 games, eight wins, four draws, and twelve losses. He also oversaw 32 goals for and 32 against.
Lozano’s tenure began during the summer’s inaugural Mundial de Clubes, where Pachuca participated with 32 teams. They lost all three group-stage matches: 1-2 against Red Bull Salzburgo, 1-3 against Real Madrid, and 0-2 versus Al Hilal. Pachuca finished last in Group H and ranked among the bottom five teams.
Despite this, Armando Martínez’s leadership, who heads Pachuca’s management and is the brother of Grupo Pachuca’s owner Jesús Martínez, decided to renew Lozano’s contract for the second half of 2025. During this period, Pachuca competed in the Liga MX Apertura 2025 and the Leagues Cup against MLS teams.
In the international tournament, Pachuca advanced from the group stage with wins over San Diego FC (3-2) and Houston Dynamo (2-1), despite a 3-5 loss to Los Ángeles FC. They were eliminated in the quarterfinals after a 1-2 defeat to Los Ángeles Galaxy.
In the Mexican league, Pachuca started strong, achieving 100% effectiveness in their first four matches and leading for three consecutive weeks. However, after returning from the Leagues Cup, they managed only two wins in twelve matches against Atlético de San Luis (2-1) and Necaxa (0-1). The team dropped from first to ninth place by the end of the regular season.
Impact on Pachuca and Play-In Preparation
As the ninth-placed team, a home victory in the Play-In’s first match does not guarantee Pachuca direct advancement to the Liguilla. Instead, it would only secure them a second elimination match as the away team against the loser between Tijuana and Bravos de Juárez.
Jaime Lozano’s Coaching Career
This dismissal marks Lozano’s fifth coaching position, following stints with Querétaro and Necaxa in Liga MX, Mexico’s national Under-23 and senior teams, and winning the 2017 Mexico Supercopa with Gallos Blancos.
Announcement of New Coach
Pachuca stated they would reveal the new coach’s identity “in the coming hours” who will have less than ten days to prepare for the Play-In match against Pumas.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Jaime Lozano? Jaime Lozano, or ‘Jimmy,’ is a Mexican soccer coach with experience in Liga MX, the Mexican national teams, and an international club, Gallos Blancos.
- Why was Lozano dismissed by Pachuca? Lozano was let go due to poor performance, with Pachuca finishing ninth in the Apertura 2025 regular season and failing to secure a top-seven position for direct Liguilla entry.
- What is the Play-In stage? The Play-In is a knockout tournament in Liga MX Apertura 2025, where teams ranked ninth to twelfth compete for the final two Liguilla spots.
- Who will replace Lozano? Pachuca has not yet announced a successor, but they promise to reveal the new coach’s identity “in the coming hours.”
- What are the implications of Pachuca’s dismissal of Lozano? The new coach will have less than ten days to prepare Pachuca for their Play-In match against Pumas, with a home victory only securing them a second elimination game as the away team against the loser between Tijuana and Bravos de Juárez.
