David Patiño dismissed from Pumas after poor start

In a media release on Jan. 27, Pumas UNAM announced that the team was no longer under the direction of manager David Patiño.

Pumas began the Clausura 0-2-2, accumulating just two points on two draws with Atlas and Veracruz. Los Capitalinos find themselves in 16th place on the table and with the poorest start after four games since the 2013 Apertura.

The lack of reinforcements in the offseason hurt Pumas’ lineup, even though the 51-year-old Patiño expressed his desire to sign new talent, but UNAM’s funds only covered the full purchases of Martin Rodriguez and Felipe Mora, who were previously with the team on loan from Cruz Azul.

Patiño took charge of Pumas back in October 2017 after Paco Palencia’s dismissal and Sergio Egea’s brief run as interim coach. Patiño was at first also an interim option for Los Universitarios but ended up taking the mantle full-time.

After a little over a year with the club, Patiño leaves Pumas with an overall record of 23 wins, 18 draws and 21 defeats in all competitions.

Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images

Patiño successfully took Pumas to the liguilla in both the 2018 Clausura and Apertura tournaments. In the latter, Pumas finished third overall in the regular season and made it to the semifinals. Ironically, Patiño’s greatest accomplishment could have also been his biggest curse due to the 7-2 aggregate onslaught Pumas suffered at the hands of eventual champions Club America.

Patiño is the second Liga MX coach to be dismissed this season, following Pako Ayestaran’s sack from Pachuca. ESPN Deportes has named former Pumas striker Bruno Marioni as a prime candidate for the vacancy. The Argentine last coached Ascenso MX side Venados FC in 2018.

Who should Pumas sign next? Let us know in the comments down below!