Antonio Mohamed Returns to Pumas as Toluca Coach After 444 Days

MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Antonio ‘Turco’ Mohamed made a dramatic return to Estadio Olímpico Universitario on Wednesday, 444 days after stepping down as Pumas UNAM‘s head coach. This time, he led Toluca in a Liga MX Clausura 2025 clash, marking his first encounter with his former team since his abrupt departure in December 2023.

Mohamed, 54, left Pumas just two days after their semifinal loss to Tigres in the Apertura 2023 tournament, citing mental and physical exhaustion. “I wasn’t at 100%, neither mentally nor physically,” Mohamed told Pumas officials at the time. He proposed a six-month hiatus from coaching to honor his contract, a promise he kept before joining Toluca earlier this year.

Pumas president Luis González reflected on Mohamed’s exit, stating, “I recognized Mohamed’s honesty when he left. These situations happen, and each team resolves them according to their context.” González emphasized the importance of contractual safeguards to ensure stability for both coaches and clubs.

Mohamed’s departure paved the way for his longtime protégé, Gustavo Lema, to take over as Pumas’ head coach. Lema, who had worked alongside Mohamed for nearly two decades, initially planned to leave with his mentor but was persuaded to stay. “Mohamed spoke to me and said Pumas wanted me to lead the team,” Lema recalled. “He assured me there would be no issues.”

Under Lema’s guidance, Pumas have shown steady improvement. In the Clausura 2024, the team finished eighth with 27 points, advancing to the quarterfinals. By the Apertura 2024, they climbed to fourth place with 31 points, surpassing Mohamed’s previous record of 28 points in the Apertura 2023. Lema also achieved significant milestones, including ending a five-year winless streak against América in the Clásico Capitalino.

Mohamed, meanwhile, expressed pride in Lema’s accomplishments. “We worked together for almost 20 years. I think he absorbed my brain during my best years as a coach,” Mohamed joked in a November 2024 interview. “It makes me very happy to see him succeed.”

The match between Pumas and Toluca marked the first time Mohamed and Lema faced each other as opposing coaches. While Lema has yet to win a title with Pumas, his progress has been notable. Mohamed, on the other hand, is focused on revitalizing Toluca’s campaign in the Clausura 2025.

As the final whistle blew, the encounter served as a testament to the enduring bond between the two coaches and their shared legacy in Mexican football.