Pumas UNAM appoint Antonio Mohamed as new head coach

Antonio Mohamed will take over as the new head coach of Pumas UNAM amid the 2023 Liga MX Clausura.

He replaces Rafael Puente Jr., who departed the club after 'mutually agreeing' to terminate the contract on March 19 following a string of negative results. 

Mohamed now joins Pumas on a one-year contract, in addition to the remaining Clausura.

"One year of contract, what remains of the tournament one year, with the option of the club to continue. I continue with my usual work group and Pumas has a good squad to compete, the illusion of continuing to compete to enter the playoffs and aspire to the most. The reviews are done at the end, not before," said the Argentine.

"Dreaming is free, the first thing we think about is the first training session.”

The new coach returns to the Mexican league after stepping away in 2020, leaving Rayados de Monterrey in the Apertura following a historic title win in 2019. Mohamed also previously led Xolos de Tijuana and Club America in Liga MX, and Celta de Viga, Atletico Mineiro and Independiente abroad. 

"The other teams have nothing to do with it, today I defend this Pumas shirt," he said.

Mohamed faces an uphill battle with Pumas, as the team sits in 16th place on the table with just 11 points in 12 games and a record of 3W-7L-2D. He has just five games left to reach the top 12 spots to qualify for the playoffs.  

The team return to action against Queretaro on Sunday April 2, though Mohamed is expected to lead his first game the following week against Atletico San Luis on April 9.