FC Juárez names Gustavo Lema as new manager

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – FC Juárez officially announced Argentine strategist Gustavo Lema as the team's new manager on Wednesday, Sep. 2.

Lema takes the reins of FC Juárez from Salvador Valero, who served as the team's manager over the past month since Pedro Caixinha's firing.

Lema has an extensive resume in Mexican soccer. For two decades, he served as a key assistant coach, notably forming part of Antonio Mohamed's coaching staff. During this time, he helped secure three Liga MX titles with different clubs: Xolos de Tijuana (2012), Club América (2014), and CF Monterrey (Apertura 2019). Additionally, his time with Monterrey saw him lift the Copa MX in both 2017 and 2019.

After 20 years as a highly regarded assistant, Lema stepped into the head coaching role in December 2023 with Pumas UNAM. His tenure in Mexico City was a success, leading the squad to three consecutive Liguillas. Most notably, he guided Pumas to a fourth-place overall finish in the Apertura 2024, boasting the best defense in the tournament. Most recently, Lema managed Audax Italiano in the Chilean top flight.

Now, Lema steps into an extremely rocky situation with FC Juárez. Not only are the Bravos in last place in the Liga MX 2026 Apertura, but they have also not won a single game. They currently sit with an 0-6 record and a -16 goal differential, having scored only three goals and conceded 19.