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Efraín Juárez

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In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Juárez and the second or maternal family name is Valdez.
Efraín Juárez
Juárez with Celtic in 2010
Personal information
Full name Efraín Juárez Valdez[1]
Date of birth (1988-02-22) 22 February 1988 (age 37)
Place of birth Mexico City, Mexico
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Defensive midfielder, right-back
Team information
Current team
 UNAM (head coach)
Youth career
2001–2006 UNAM
2006–2008 Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008 Pumas Morelos[3] 11 (0)
2008–2010 UNAM 66 (0)
2010–2012 Celtic 13 (0)
2011 → Zaragoza (loan) 15 (1)
2012–2014 América 6 (0)
2013–2014 → Monterrey (loan) 22 (1)
2014–2018 Monterrey 74 (2)
2018 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 16 (0)
2019 Vålerenga 19 (0)
Total 242 (4)
International career
2005 Mexico U17 5 (1)
2007 Mexico U20 4 (1)
2009–2012 Mexico 39 (1)
Managerial career
2020–2022 New York City FC (assistant)
2022–2023 Standard Liège (assistant)
2023–2024 Club Brugge (assistant)
2024–2025 Atlético Nacional
2025– UNAM
Medal record
Representing  Mexico
Winner FIFA U-17 World Championship 2005
Winner CONCACAF Gold Cup 2009
Winner CONCACAF Gold Cup 2011
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Efraín Juárez Valdez (born 22 February 1988) is a Mexican football manager and former player. He is the current head coach of UNAM.

Club career

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Early Career

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Juárez joined the Pumas youth system at the age of thirteen. After winning the 2005 under-17 World Championship, playing a key role in defense, he was snapped up by Barcelona along with national teammate Jorge Hernández in 2006. Without very much support and very few minutes given in the Barcelona B team, he returned to Pumas Morelos and it took some time for coach Ricardo Ferretti to call him to Pumas. Competing for a position in the right wing with Fernando Espinoza, he quickly became a starter in Ferretti's team. With Ferretti's decision to give continuity to its team, Juárez renewed his contract facing the Clausura 2009 tournament. Pumas finished champions, beating Pachuca.[4]

Celtic

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On 17 July 2010, Pumas accepted a bid for Juárez from Scottish Premier League club Celtic.[5] On 26 July a £2 million transfer was agreed and Juárez signed a four-year contract with The Hoops, making him the first ever Mexican player to play in the SPL.[6][7] Juárez made his Celtic debut in a 3–0 Champions League defeat away to Braga.[8] He scored his first goal for the club in the return fixture at Celtic Park with a header.[9] He then scored his second goal, again at Celtic Park, in a Europa League qualifying first leg match against Utrecht two weeks later.[10] Juárez was close to agreeing a loan move to Serie A side Brescia Calcio in the January 2011 transfer window but the deal fell through.[7] He had fallen out of favour with the first team and his agent admitted that Juárez would need to move on in the summer of 2011 in order to play first team football.[7]

Real Zaragoza (loan)

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Juarez during his tenure at Zaragoza

On 26 July 2011, after weeks of speculation, Juárez was loaned out to La Liga side Real Zaragoza,[11][12] where he was reunited with former Mexico national team coach Javier Aguirre. He made his debut for Zaragoza in a 6–0 loss against Real Madrid.[13] He then scored his first goal for the club in a 4–3 defeat to Real Betis.[14]

América

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On 5 June 2012 it was announced that Juárez had transferred to Club América in Mexico for an undisclosed fee, after failing to cement his place in the starting line-up for Celtic, and after his disappointing stint for Real Zaragoza.[15] He made his first appearance for América on 27 June in a 0–2 preseason loss against Jaguares.[16][17] He made his league debut on 21 July in a 0–0 draw against Monterrey.[18] On 22 August 2012, Juárez suffered a terrible arm injury during a cup game against Correcaminos in the 39th minute which he had to miss a few months.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

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Juárez signed with Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer on 18 January 2018.[19] On 1 February 2019, Juárez and Vancouver mutually agreed to part ways.[20]

International career

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On 28 June 2009, Juárez made his first international cap with the senior national team against Guatemala.[21] He played a part of the team that won the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In the Gold Cup, he mainly played at right back. He started and completed all games played in the competition. Thanks to his great performance, he quickly gained a spot on the national team. Juárez scored for Mexico against Costa Rica during a penalty shootout.[22]

On 11 June 2010, Juárez became the first player to be booked at the 2010 World Cup in Mexico's opening match against South Africa.[23][24] He also played in Mexico's 2–0 victory over France on 17 June, when he was replaced by Javier Hernández on 55 minutes, who later himself went on to score.[25]

On 22 September 2010, it was announced that Juárez and Mexico teammate Carlos Vela were banned from international duty for six months for their involvement in a party in Monterrey following a game with Colombia two weeks earlier.[26]

Juárez scored his first national team goal in the 5–0 win against El Salvador in the opening match of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup on 5 June.[27]

Managerial career

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Early career

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Juárez began his career as a manager at Major League Soccer club New York City FC, where he served as a technical assistant under Ronny Deila. He subsequently held the same position at Standard Liège and Club Brugge.

Atlético Nacional

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On 28 August 2024, Colombian club Atlético Nacional announced Juárez as their new head coach.[28] His appointment was poorly received by local fans and media, who criticized the lack of experience of the foreign coach.[29]

On 17 November, during the Copa Colombia semifinal match against Independiente Medellín, Juárez was celebrating his team's victory after the full-time whistle when he was shown a red card and promptly escorted out of the stadium by Medellín police and stadium officials.[30] The Colombian Football Federation announced that Juárez would be banned from all Colombian stadiums for three years and fined 26 million Colombian pesos for his "provocative" celebrations.[31] On 27 December, the sanction was revoked.[32]

On 15 December, Juárez won his first title as manager when Atlético Nacional was crowned champion of the Copa Colombia.[33] A week later, he led Atlético Nacional to its 18th league title, making him one of only three managers to achieve the double in Colombian football.[34] On 14 January 2025, Juárez stepped down from his position due to disagreements with the club's management.[35]

UNAM

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On 2 March 2025, Juárez became the head coach of his boyhood club Universidad Nacional.[36][37]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 9 November 2013[38][39]
Club performance League Cup League cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Mexico League Cup League cup North America Total
2008–09 UNAM Primera División 41 0 2 1 43 1
2009–10 25 0 4 0 29 0
Scotland League Scottish Cup League Cup Europe Total
2010–11 Celtic SPL 13 0 1 0 2 0 4 2 21 2
Spain League Copa del Rey Supercopa de España Europe Total
2011–12 Real Zaragoza La Liga 15 1 15 1
Mexico League Cup League cup North America Total
2012–13 América Liga MX 6 0 3 0 9 0
Mexico League Cup League cup North America Total
2013–14 Monterrey Liga MX 11 0 1 0 12 0
Total Mexico 83 0 3 0 0 0 7 1 93 1
Scotland 13 0 1 0 2 0 4 2 20 2
Spain 15 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 1
Career total 111 1 3 0 2 0 11 3 127 4

International

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As of 29 February 2012[40]
National team Year Apps Goals
Mexico 2009 9 0
2010 16 0
2011 14 1
Total 39 1

International goals

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Scores and results list Mexico's goal tally first
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1. 5 June 2011 Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, United States  El Salvador 1–0 5–0 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Managerial statistics

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As of 9 April 2025
Team Nat From To Record
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Atlético Nacional Colombia 28 August 2024 14 January 2025 27 14 8 5 44 24 +20 051.85
UNAM Mexico 2 March 2025 Present 8 3 3 2 14 12 +2 037.50
Total 35 17 11 7 58 36 +22 048.57

Honours

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Player

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UNAM

América

Monterrey

Mexico U17

Mexico

Manager

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Atlético Nacional

References

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  1. ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 – List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 5 July 2007. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 December 2013.
  2. ^ "FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2013: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 11 December 2013. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 December 2013.
  3. ^ Efraín Juárez Valdéz - Ficha Jugador
  4. ^ Mexican Primera Division Tables – 2008/2009 Clausura Soccerway
  5. ^ Mexican star Juarez joins Bhoys in Seattle Archived 20 July 2010 at the Wayback Machine Celtic FC, 17 July 2010
  6. ^ New Bhoy Juarez makes Paradise bow Archived 28 July 2010 at the Wayback Machine Celtic FC, 26 July 2010
  7. ^ a b c "Efrain Juarez could be set for move away from Celtic, admits agent". Daily Record. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  8. ^ Braga 3 – 0 Celtic BBC Sport, 28 July 2010
  9. ^ Celtic 2–1 Braga (agg 2–4) BBC Sport, 4 August 2010
  10. ^ "Celtic 2 – 0 FC Utrecht". BBC Sport. 19 August 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  11. ^ "Efrain Juárez joins Real Zaragoza on loan". Celtic FC Official Website. Retrieved 26 July.
  12. ^ "Celtic hizo oficial la salida de Efraín Juárez al Zaragoza". Medio Tiempo. Archived from the original on 3 October 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
  13. ^ "Zaragoza 0–6 Real Madrid: Ronaldo hat-trick secures huge opening win for Los Blancos". A different league. 28 August 2011. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  14. ^ "Real Betis takes Spanish league lead with 4–3 win over Zaragoza". Washington Post. 23 September 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.[dead link‍]
  15. ^ "Efrain Juarez moves from Celtic to Club America in his homeland". BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  16. ^ "América pierde ante Jaguares en duelo de pretemporada". Récord. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  17. ^ "Derrota Jaguares 2–0 al América". ESPN Deportes. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  18. ^ "Monterrey 0–0 América… Un simple debut". Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  19. ^ "Whitecaps FC acquire versatile Mexican midfielder Efraín Juárez from Club de Futbol Monterrey". 18 January 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  20. ^ "Whitecaps FC and midfielder Efraín Juárez mutually agree to part ways | Vancouver Whitecaps".
  21. ^ "México 0–0 Guatemala... Tri se peleó de nuevo con el gol". Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  22. ^ "Costa Rica 1–1 Mexico". Soccernet. 23 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  23. ^ Mexico's Juarez gets World Cup's first booking The Hindustan Times, 11 June 2010
  24. ^ FT: South Africa 1 Mexico 1 Sky Sports, 11 June 2010
  25. ^ Mexico subs shoot down France FIFA.com, 17 June 2010
  26. ^ "Carlos Vela and Efrain Juarez banned by Mexico". BBC Sport. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
  27. ^ "Five-Star starts for Ticos, Mexico" FIFA.com, 6 June 2011
  28. ^ "Efraín Juárez es nuevo técnico de Atlético Nacional" (in Spanish). ESPN México. 28 August 2024.
  29. ^ "'Lo criticamos por novato y extranjero, ahora Nacional juega hermoso'" (in Spanish). Fox Sports. 29 November 2024.
  30. ^ "Manager handed THREE-YEAR ban for goal celebration that caused carnage". 22 November 2024.
  31. ^ "Madness in Colombia: Efrain Juarez banned for three years over wild celebration!". 23 November 2024.
  32. ^ "Revocan sanción contra el técnico de Nacional, Efraín Juárez" (in Spanish). ESPN México. 27 December 2024.
  33. ^ "Efraín Juárez es campeón como técnico con Atlético Nacional de Colombia" (in Spanish). TUDN. 15 December 2024.
  34. ^ "Efraín Juárez y el selecto grupo de entrenadores que han ganado el doblete en Colombia" (in Spanish). Claro Sports. 23 December 2024.
  35. ^ "Efraín Juárez explotó tras su salida de Nacional: 'Cuenten la verdad'" [Efraín Juárez exploded after his departure from Nacional: 'Tell the truth'] (in Spanish). Futbolred. 14 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  36. ^ "Pumas oficializó a Efraín Juárez como director técnico" (in Spanish). ESPN México. 2 March 2025.
  37. ^ "Pumas UNAM: Efraín Juárez Takes the Helm as Head Coach; Vows to Change Team's Mindset". SoyFútbol. 2 March 2025.
  38. ^ "Efraín Juárez stats". Medio Tiempo. Archived from the original on 13 August 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  39. ^ "Efraín Juárez stats". ESPN Deportes. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  40. ^ Efraín Juárez at National-Football-Teams.com
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