Universidad de Chile has officialized the departure of coach Gustavo Álvarez and three key players ahead of the 2026 season. The club announced the releases of Nicolás Guerra, Lucas Di Yorio, and Ignacio Tapia, while advancing negotiations to hire Francisco Meneghini as the new head coach. These changes are part of a restructuring in the student squad.
Universidad de Chile began its restructuring for the 2026 season by confirming several departures from the squad. On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, the club announced the end of ties with coach Gustavo Álvarez, whose contract ran until December 2026. The break occurred ahead of the match against Coquimbo Unido, due to accumulated wear. Instead of paying a US$1.2 million indemnity, Álvarez agreed to cover about US$200,000 in installments once he signs with a new team.
During his tenure at La U, Álvarez secured the Copa Chile and Supercopa, plus a historic semifinal run in the 2025 Copa Sudamericana, where they were eliminated by Lanús. However, they failed to win the Primera Liga, a title missing since 2017.
In the same statement, Azul Azul revealed that the sports management is negotiating with Francisco Meneghini, unanimously approved by the board the previous Monday. The 37-year-old Argentine, with experience at Chilean clubs like O’Higgins—where he finished third in 2025 to qualify for the Copa Libertadores—, Unión La Calera, Audax Italiano, and Everton, will take the role. Meneghini has directed 204 matches, achieving a 47.54% performance rate, and has worked with Marcelo Bielsa and Jorge Sampaoli.
Player departures add to this process. Nicolás Guerra, a U youth product, ends his second stint after 178 official matches from 2017-2020 and 2023-2025. Argentine Lucas Di Yorio, on loan from Athletico Paranaense, played 43 games in 2025. Ignacio Tapia also departs, as informed days earlier. The club thanked their commitment: “We thank the players for their dedication, professionalism, and commitment. We wish them the greatest success in their future sports and personal endeavors”.
Meneghini’s first big test: On March 4, 2026, La U will face Palestino in the Copa Sudamericana first phase at Estadio Nacional, behind closed doors due to a sanction.
