This Thursday, January 30, Atlas officially announced that Rafael Puente Del Rio is the new manager of the Guadalajara-based team. Los Zorros previously parted ways with Leandro Cufre on Wednesday, January 29, as this move to hire Puente came almost immediately after splitting with Cufre.
Puente will not be available for Atlas’ match this Friday, January 31, against Club Tijuana as Omar Flores will serve as the interim coach for Los Rojinegros. Puente was currently working as an analyst for TUDN, but recently coached in the Liga MX with Lobos BUAP and Queretaro.
The now disappeared Lobos BUAP does not have a long and rich history, but Puente is easily the best manager the team ever had. The Mexican manager led the Puebla-based team from the Ascenso MX to the top-flight in 2017.
The former soap opera star also had success with Queretaro as he led Los Gallos Blancos to a playoff berth in the 2018 Apertura season. Rafa Puente Jr. is a very offensive-minded manager usually prioritizing a strong attack over a safe backline.
The 41-year-old still has a lot to learn, but is expected to completely turn around an Atlas team that played very defensively under Leandro Cufre. Atlas had a nice start to the season beating Cruz Azul 2-1 at the Estadio Azteca, but has now lost its last two games.
Tenemos que jugar con el corazón y dar todo por ellos, Rafa Puente… ????#LateConFuria ????⚫️ pic.twitter.com/It37qPk7bh
— Atlas FC (@atlasfc) January 30, 2020
Los Zorros are coming off a 2-1 loss to Tigres UANL away from home and will be looking to change things around with Puente. Atlas has a solid squad with exciting players like Luciano Acosta and Ignacio Jeraldino that will benefit from a coach like Puente that likes to attack.
