Thu Jan 30 07:50:00 IST 2025: ## Former Pumas Coach Antonio Mohamed Returns to CU, This Time with Toluca

**MEXICO CITY** – Antonio “Turco” Mohamed’s surprising return to Estadio Olímpico Universitario has sent ripples through Mexican football. Just 444 days after abruptly resigning from Pumas UNAM in December 2023, citing mental and physical exhaustion, Mohamed will now face his former club as the manager of Toluca.

Mohamed’s departure from Pumas last year was amicable, with the club granting his request to leave his contract early. He committed to a self-imposed break from coaching for four to five months to recharge. His departure even involved a unique request from Pumas’ leadership; he convinced his assistant coach, Gustavo Lema, to stay on with the team, ensuring project continuity.

Pumas president Luis González commented on the situation, highlighting the importance of contractual safeguards in such instances to protect both club and coach. While acknowledging the unusual circumstances surrounding Mohamed’s departure, González emphasized that such situations are not uncommon in football.

Mohamed’s return to CU, albeit with a different team, marks a full circle moment. Though a highly anticipated matchup between Mohamed and his former players didn’t occur due to the coach’s expulsion in a separate game, the clash between Toluca and Pumas promises to be a highly charged encounter. The story serves as a reminder of the complexities and often unpredictable nature of managerial changes in professional football.

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