Chivas: Óscar García Out Just Before Pumas Clash | OneFootball

Chivas fans were caught off guard as Óscar García Junyent's tenure came to an abrupt end this week, with the manager departing after just 11 games in charge.

The news came less than 24 hours before the Guadalajara side travelled to the capital for a showdown with Pumas, a side who have also had their own managerial issues this week following the sacking of Gustavo Lema.

García, 51, was making his first steps into Mexican football after spells in Belgium, Spain, Greece and Austria, but his time has been cut shorter than anybody could have imagined.

It's still unsure whether he decided to leave, or the board called time on his tenureship, but his Chivas side found themselves in tenth after nine games with a record of three wins, 2 draws and four defeats, heading into the Pumas encounter.

Entering the dugout for the first time in January, García guided the team to a 1-0 win against Santos Laguna but it would be a painful six games until they got back to winning ways, even needing to settle a first-round CONCACAF Champions Cup tie with Cibao FC of the Dominican Republic in the reverse fixture in Guadalajara.

With short notice, Pepe Meléndez, Chivas' assistant manager took charge of Los Rojiblancos and guided them to a 1-0 victory as Luis Rey was on hand to score a 93' minute winner for the visitors. A crucial three points which sends the club up to ninth, two points clear of the playoff-chasing pack.

García's departure comes at a hectic time in the Chivas calendar, as they prepare for three consecutive Súper Clásico clashes against reigning Liga MX champions, Club América. The series begins with a Champions Cup showdown on Wednesday, March 6, followed by a Clausura Matchday 11 fixture in Mexico City. The trilogy concludes a week after the Champions Cup first leg, with one team destined for a place in the quarterfinal.