Chivas reportedly reach out to Matías Almeyda, but return remains a long shot

As Chivas continue their search for a new head coach ahead of the Apertura 2025, one name continues to stir hope among the club's massive fanbase: Matías Almeyda. The Argentine manager, who famously led the club to its last league title in 2017, is currently without a team following his recent departure from AEK Athens. Naturally, the Guadalajara board reached out to explore the possibility of a reunion—but it appears a comeback isn’t in the cards, at least not right now.

According to journalist César Luis Merlo, Almeyda expressed his gratitude and affection for Chivas, calling the club a special part of his career. However, he made it clear that he’s not in a position to make an immediate decision, as he's still evaluating his next steps after leaving Greek football.

Almeyda, who also won a Copa MX and a CONCACAF Champions League title with Chivas, left the club in 2018 in unexpected fashion—just months before they were set to play in the FIFA Club World Cup. That tournament was instead overseen by José Saturnino Cardozo, and the team endured a disappointing early exit.

According to Fox Sports, Chivas made an effort to bring Almeyda back for the upcoming tournament, motivated by his strong connection to the club and his popularity among fans. While he didn’t outright reject the offer, the 50-year-old reportedly prefers to take a break from coaching for the time being. That said, he didn’t close the door on a future return, leaving open the possibility of a reunion further down the road.

More than a month has passed since Chivas were eliminated in the regular phase of the Clausura 2025, and the team remains without a head coach. Although an agreement was reportedly close with Spanish manager Domènec Torrent, he ultimately turned down the job and is now linked with Monterrey.

Since then, the front office has evaluated several potential candidates, including Juan Carlos Osorio and Andrea Pirlo. Other names previously floated include Pachuca’s Guillermo Almada and former Mexico national team coach Jaime Lozano.

Time flies, and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández is about to begin his fourth Liga MX tournament since making his highly anticipated return to Chivas in the Clausura 2024. Despite the fanfare surrounding his homecoming, the legendary striker has yet to find his rhythm in Red and White.

Across these competitions - including Liga MX and the Concacaf Champions Cup - Chicharito has featured in 34 matches but found the back of the net only three times. A mix of fitness struggles and inconsistent form has limited his impact on the field, far from the prolific version of himself seen in Europe and with the national team.

Now, with the Apertura 2025 around the corner and a new coach set to take the reins, the big question looms: could this be the turning point for both Chivas and their star forward?

Chivas are set to return to preseason activity this Wednesday for medical testing, marking their first official team gathering since parting ways with Gerardo Espinoza. With the new tournament approaching, the pressure is mounting for the club to secure the right leader for the next chapter. El Rebaño will kick off their Leagues Cup campaign on July 31 against the New York Red Bulls. The group stage will also see them face MLS sides Charlotte FC and FC Cincinnati.