Following a promising postseason run that ended in the Quarterfinals, Club Deportivo Guadalajara is now turning its attention to the Clausura 2026 season and a crucial offseason of roster decisions. Manager Gabriel Milito and sporting director Javier Mier face challenges in solidifying recent gains, including contract talks with star striker Armando “Hormiga” González and addressing clear needs in central defense. Beyond potential acquisitions, the club is also evaluating current personnel, with several players facing uncertain futures as their contracts expire or playing time remains limited, prompting speculation about potential departures. The team begins medical checkups December 15th as preparations for the new season begin.
Chivas Faces Offseason Decisions After Promising Run Under Milito
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GUADALAJARA — Chivas saw their 2025 campaign come to an end following a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Cruz Azul in the Quarterfinals. The Club Deportivo Guadalajara squad now enters its offseason, with medical checkups and preparations for the Clausura 2026 season scheduled to begin December 15th.
The first half of the season marked a new chapter for Guadalajara under manager Gabriel Milito, with Javier Mier leading the club’s front office. The foundations have been laid for Chivas to challenge for prominence in the Liga MX and end an eight-year title drought. This promising start has fans optimistic about the future.
Apertura 2025: Chivas Show Promise
After failing to reach the Quarterfinals in the previous two tournaments, Chivas returned to the postseason under Gabriel Milito’s guidance. The start of the season proved challenging, with only one win in the first eight matches, leaving them near the bottom of the table.
A turning point arrived in the Clásico Nacional against América, where a victory snapped a seven-year winless streak against their rivals. From there, Club Deportivo Guadalajara finished the regular season strongly, earning 21 points from a possible 24 in their final eight games. This surge propelled them to sixth place and direct qualification for the Liguilla.
In addition to securing a playoff berth, Chivas celebrated the Golden Boot award won by Armando “Hormiga” González. The homegrown striker scored 12 goals, ending a six-year drought for a Chivas player topping the league’s scoring charts.
Contract Talks Loom for Key Players?
The Guadalajara management will need to negotiate a contract extension with Armando ‘Hormiga’ González. His current deal expires December 31, 2026, but both the club and the player are seeking an agreement to solidify his position as the team’s focal point in attack for years to come.
Areas for Reinforcement Identified
For the past year, Chivas has lacked depth in central defense. With Gabriel Milito’s preferred three-defender system, the need for additional options in that position became clear. The Argentine coach was forced to deploy midfielders Luis Romo and Daniel Aguirre in the backline. The front office will prioritize bringing in a central defender to bolster the team’s security.
Another area of focus for Chivas is adding a center forward. With Javier Hernández’s contract set to expire, the team will need another attacker to compete with Armando González, Teun Wilke, and Alan Pulido, who remains under contract for one more year. Ricardo Marín is a leading candidate, having recently completed a loan spell with Puebla and potentially returning for a second stint with the club.
Potential Departures for Clausura 2026?
Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández’s contract with Chivas expires December 31, 2025. Sources close to ESPN report that the club does not intend to renew his contract, making him one of the first expected departures. During his second spell with Guadalajara, Hernández scored four goals and provided one assist in 41 appearances.
Other players who could leave the club, having seen limited playing time, include Leonardo Sepúlveda, Luis Olivas, and Raúl Martínez, all central defenders who did not feature in the recent semester.
