Rubens Valenzuela, former assistant to Vicente Sánchez, delivers stinging critique to Nicolás Larcamón View full coverage on Google News
Cruz Azul’s 2026 Concachampions campaign has ended in disappointment, leaving manager Nicolás Larcamón facing a wave of criticism following a decisive exit from the tournament. The club was eliminated by LAFC with a 4-1 aggregate score, a result that has sparked intense debate over Larcamón’s tactical decisions and his inability to pivot during the series.
The defeat is particularly damaging given the expectations surrounding Larcamón. Having previously won the tournament with León, he entered this competition as a favorite rather than an underdog. However, this exit follows a string of international struggles, including one of the worst defeats in club history during the Leagues Cup, suggesting a failure to reclaim the team’s international standing.
Adding fuel to the fire, Rubens Valenzuela, the former fitness coach under Vicente Sánchez, issued a harsh reminder of the standards previously set at the club. Valenzuela, who helped secure back-to-back Concachampions titles with Tuzos and Cruz Azul—both won undefeated—emphasized the difficulty of such an achievement.
“It is not easy to even reach the final, much less emerge as CHAMPION twice in a row while remaining undefeated,” Valenzuela stated. He noted that many prominent teams attempted this feat and failed, which further highlights the success of the previous regime. Valenzuela also pointed out that the loss extends beyond the trophy, as the team has now forfeited opportunities to compete in the Intercontinental Cup and the Club World Cup.
The contrast in philosophies has also become a point of contention. While Vicente Sánchez and Rubens Valenzuela were previously labeled as “old school” for their reluctance to rely on modern technology, they delivered undefeated championships. In contrast, Larcamón—described as an updated coach utilizing modern tools—saw his tenure stumble with a Quarterfinal exit.
This result leaves Cruz Azul searching for answers as they grapple with the loss of major international objectives and the scrutiny of their current leadership on the bench.
