Atlético Bucaramanga manager Leonel Álvarez has reportedly outlined a series of demands to club officials as the team prepares for the 2026 season, which will include competition in both domestic leagues and the Copa Sudamericana. According to reports, Álvarez is seeking meaningful roster improvements, especially at central defense, and has made those reinforcements a condition of his continued leadership. The manager’s vision for the team’s future hinges on securing key personnel ahead of the upcoming Liga I season, which is slated to begin in mid-January.
Atlético Bucaramanga’s manager has laid out his demands for the upcoming season.
Atlético Bucaramanga manager Leonel Álvarez recently met with club officials to discuss optimizing the roster for the 2026 season, which will include participation in both domestic competitions and the Copa Sudamericana.
During the meeting, Álvarez made his intentions clear regarding the team’s needs for the upcoming year.
Álvarez’s Vision
Journalist Arley Durán, on his program Arley Deportes, revealed the manager’s firm stance on team reinforcements.
Álvarez is prioritizing the addition of an experienced central defender to replace Carlos Henao, along with five to six other players of a high caliber.
“If Leonel Álvarez doesn’t get that experienced central defender, if he doesn’t get the five or six players he wants, there’s a very high possibility that Leonel Álvarez won’t coach Bucaramanga,” Durán explained. “He made that very clear in the meeting, telling them: don’t come to me with players different from what I want, because I’m leaving here.”
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Álvarez also gave his approval for winger Neyder Moreno to remain with the team, and insisted on renewing the contract of defensive midfielder Aldair Zárate, whose current deal expires this year, as well as winger Kevin Londoño, also with a contract ending in 2025.
For Álvarez, careful player selection is paramount.
“We have the planning that we must develop, we will meet with the directors to look for ways to improve the project. I have to stay a few more days (in Bucaramanga) looking, as is normal for any coach, for possible arrivals and players who need to renew their contracts. We need to continue working because when you recruit well, you are closer to achieving results and titles. We hope to choose well and for those who come to add and improve the project,” Álvarez said after Bucaramanga’s participation in the 2025 BetPlay League II.
Currently, Bayron Duarte, Alejandro Artunduaga, Nicolás Hernández, Óscar Castellanos, Diego Chávez, and Carlos Henao have departed the club.
Freddy Hinestroza, Faber Gil, Israel Alba, and Jhon Vásquez are also expected to leave the club.
Álvarez is targeting reinforcements at several positions, including right and left back, another central defender, a holding midfielder, a pair of wingers, an attacking midfielder, and another forward to support Luciano Pons, who is finalizing a new contract with the club.
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Kevin Parra and Cristian Barrios are among the players of interest to the manager.
Time is of the essence, as the 2026 Liga I season is set to begin in mid-January.
