This year, Efrain Juarez became champion of the Colombian league with Atletico Nacional. As if that were not enough, the Mexican also won the Cup with the Colombian club.

Juarez undoubtedly made a good impression and received recognition from several soccer protagonists and one of them was Major League Soccer.

This dedication was surprising since Liga MX did not issue any publication to recognize the former Rayados and Pumas player for achieving a historic feat in just four months.

The MLS celebrated and remembered that it was on American soil where he obtained the knowledge on the bench as an assistant, which has led him to conquer the current successes.

“Efrain Juarez is making his mark as a coach with an impact that few expected. The double title win positions him as one of the emerging figures in Colombian soccer and puts him on the radar of MLS and Liga MX teams. His next challenge will be the Copa Libertadores, a tournament that could consolidate him as one of the most promising Mexican coaches of his generation,” wrote the league’s official website.

Efrain Juarez and his time in Major League Soccer

Juarez played in MLS in 2018 with the Vancouver Whitecaps, before going to Norway to retire at Valrerenga. He then joined Ronny Deila’s coaching staff as an assistant at New York City FC, and followed his mentor on his adventure in Belgium with Standard Liege and Club Brugge, before making the move to Colombia as his first experience as a head coach.

“Efrain Juarez is not the only Mexican with MLS experience who has found success on the bench. Alfonso Sosa, a former San Jose Earthquakes player in the 1990s, had a distinguished career as a coach in LIGA MX, leading teams such as Necaxa and Atletico San Luis to promotion. These cases highlight the positive influence that MLS has had on the development of Mexican coaches,” said MLS.

While in Mexico, the now coach played for America, UNAM and Rayados, as well as being in the Mexican national team.