Lobos BUAP is the new franchise that will play in Mexico’s top flight soccer league. The team from Puebla gained promotion by defeating Dorados de Sinaloa by an aggregate score of 3-2.
Lobos BUAP is an intriguing team that has never played in the Liga MX and it is also managed by one of the most interesting men in Mexican soccer, Rafael Puente Jr. Puente’s father, Rafael Puente was a goalkeeper in the Liga MX from 1968-1976 then went on to manage in the league as well. Jr. has had a bit more of an interesting trajectory than that. The Mexican had a brief stint in the Liga MX with Atlante and Necaxa from 2003-2004.
After his soccer career did not pan out, Puente moved to a completely distinct field, being a Mexican soap opera actor from 2006-2008. Jr. went back to his passion of soccer and found a job in Guadalajara’s front office in 2014 at the age of 35. Puente was relieved of his duties then went on to another change in his career. The Mexican stuck with soccer but decided to be a journalist now like his father and in 2015, Jr. joined ESPN and became a main figure on the giant sports network.
On October 5, 2016, the now 38-year-old landed his managing gig at Lobos BUAP. Puente led the team from Puebla to a 15th place finish in the Apertura 2016 and had a bit of a rocky start to the Clausura 2017. It was becoming unclear if the Mexican manager was the right man for the job at Lobos BUAP. There was a quick turnaround in Puebla and Lobos became an imposing force in Clausura 2017. Lobos BUAP finished the regular season in seventh place and scored a league-leading 30 goals.
Of course, the team from Puebla went on to win the Clausura final against FC Juarez and then the Ascenso MX final against Dorados de Sinaloa to now be in the Liga MX. Rafael Puente Jr. will be one of the most intriguing managers in the top flight of Mexican soccer and it will be interesting to see how he does at a young age with a huge responsibility.
