Santos Laguna have parted ways with head coach Eduardo Fentanes, effective immediately.

He departs after the team’s last minute 2-0 defeat against Queretaro at home, propelling Santos to drop to 11th place on the Liga MX table. Following the defeat, Santos Laguna announced an emergency board meeting on Monday morning to discuss “matters of the first team.”

Subsequently, the team announced Fentanes’ firing just hours after the reunion. 

“We inform that following the meeting by the club’s Sports Committee, it was decided to terminate the contract of manager Eduardo Fentanes and his first team coaching staff. We thank him for the commitment he’s shown during his time with the Guerreros, and wish him success in future endeavors,” announced the club in a statement.

Carlos Arturo Cruz will now take over as interim manager, as the club searches for a permanent replacement. 

Fentanes first joined the team in 2018, working with the academy for three years before being promoted to head coach in 2022 to replace Pedro Caixinha. He led the team to great heights, concluding the 2022 Apertura in third place and reaching the quarterfinals in playoffs. 

But the 2023 Clausura saw a disappointing Santos Laguna. The team currently sits in 11th place with just 19 points in 16 games, and a 5W-7L-4D record. They’ve been wildly inconsistent at home, inciting frustration from fans. 

Interim manager Cruz must now lead the team against Cruz Azul, and get a result to maintain a top 12 position to reach the playoffs. 

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