Azul Azul has finalized a two-year contract with Francisco 'Paqui' Meneghini as Universidad de Chile's new head coach, following last week's confirmation after Gustavo Álvarez's exit. The process has delayed negotiations for midfielder Lucas Romero.
Building on the December 24 announcement of Francisco 'Paqui' Meneghini's appointment—part of Universidad de Chile's restructuring that included Álvarez's departure and renewals like Charles Aránguiz's—the club has now reached a full contractual agreement. The 47-year-old Argentine will sign on Monday and take charge immediately.
Meneghini brings proven success, including a third-place finish with O’Higgins in 2025, qualifying them for Copa Libertadores preliminaries. His career highlights include assisting Jorge Sampaoli at U de Chile in 2011, Sebastián Beccacece in 2016, and serving as video analyst for Chile's 2010 World Cup team. He has managed 204 matches (47.54% performance: 75 wins, 66 draws, 63 losses) at clubs like Unión La Calera, Audax Italiano, and Everton de Viña del Mar, chosen over Renato Paiva for his Chilean football expertise.
Challenges ahead include ending a nine-year Primera División title drought, reaching the 2026 Copa Sudamericana group stage, and competing in Copa Chile and Copa de la Liga. However, transfer hurdles loom: delays in the coaching transition have cooled talks for Paraguayan midfielder Lucas Romero from Recoleta F.C. His agent, Regis Marques, stated: “It stayed on standby due to the coaching change... We had everything arranged, then this happened, which was strange.” Other clubs like Olimpia are circling. With preseason starting January 5, U de Chile must accelerate reinforcements.
