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Atlético Nacional is awaiting the arrival of Efraín Juárez, a young, visionary and ambitious coach. At 36 years old, Juárez not only becomes the second youngest coach in the history of the Verdolaga club, following in the footsteps of Argentine René Seghini, who led the team in 1962 at just 31 years old, but he also becomes the first Mexican coach to take the reins of the Colombian giant.
Nacional will be his first experience as a full-time coach, a challenge that he faces with the experience accumulated during a successful career as a professional footballer. Juárez, a well-known name in Mexican football, left his mark on European clubs such as Celtic of Scotland and Real Zaragoza of Spain, in addition to wearing the colors of important teams in his native country such as Pumas UNAM, Rayados de Monterrey and Club América. With the Mexican National Team, he played 39 matches, scoring one goal and participating in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, in addition to being crowned champion of the Gold Cup in 2009 and 2011.
His transition from the pitch to the dugout began under the influence of Ronny Deila, a Norwegian coach whom he met during his time at Celtic. Deila, a fan of the Barcelona school, invited Juárez to join his coaching staff, thus beginning a career that saw him gain experience at teams such as New York City FC in the MLS, Standard Liège and Club Brugge, where Juárez continued to hone his tactical and strategic approach.
Deila, known for his proactive style of play and his emphasis on values such as respect, effort, ambition and teamwork, was a crucial influence in the formation of Juárez as a coach. These principles are reflected in Juárez’s playing philosophy, characterized by technical, offensive and possession-based football. Juárez prioritizes occupying the field well, building from the back and attacking from any flank, whether in possession or on the counterattack, using both short and long passes to find open spaces. This open and creative vision of play is what he intends to implement at Atlético Nacional.
In an interview with EFE after leaving Club Brugge, Juárez expressed his enthusiasm and readiness to take on a project as head coach. “What I experienced at Club Brugge has allowed me to learn how to manage a big club, which is key to being a head coach,” said Juárez, stressing the importance of this experience in his professional development. “I would like a multi-year plan in which to work to achieve objectives, grow together and develop young players. I am more than ready and prepared,” he said with conviction.
The Mexican coach also highlighted his passion for developing young talent, an aspect that he considers fundamental to his philosophy as a coach. “Beyond being coaches, we like to teach and develop players. One of the reasons why Brujas decided to hire us last year is because of how we develop young talent,” he explained. For Juárez, his time as Brujas’ manager was an invaluable experience that taught him how to handle the complexities of a big club in a short period of time. “I learned the fast track. Looking ahead, for my dream of being a head coach, this experience is priceless,” he added.
The opportunity he had been waiting for has arrived, and Atlético Nacional is the club that has decided to give him the reins of its first team. Juárez, who will be reunited with Edwin Cardona, with whom he shared a dressing room in Monterrey, has the full confidence of the sporting director Gustavo Fermani and the president Sebastián Arango Botero. His arrival at the Verdolaga bench has raised great expectations among the fans, who hope that his youth and fresh vision can lead the club to new successes.
The eyes of all the fans will be on Efraín Juárez, who has the opportunity to write a new chapter in the rich history of Atlético Nacional, a club accustomed to being a protagonist in Colombian and continental football. Expectations are high, but Juárez is ready and willing to take on the challenge.
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