FC Juarez appoints Hernan Cristante as new manager

Ciudad Juarez, MX - FC Juarez hopes it has finally found the man to lend to prominence in the prestigious top-flight Liga MX.

FC Juarez officially introduced former Liga MX goalkeeper Hernan Cristante as its new manager on Thursday.

Cristante comes most recently from fellow Liga MX side Queretaro, who finished the 2022 season with a record of 3-6-8. FC Juarez just finished in dead last among all teams in Liga MX.

The 51-year-old Argentina native replaces Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti as manager of "Los Bravos." Ferretti, the former Tigres and Mexican National Team boss, lasted just one season in Juarez after his celebrated hire last fall.

Cristante acknowledged the responsibility of replacing Ferretti in his opening press conference.

"Obviously it is a challenge not only because Tuca was here," said Cristante. "But because of what this chair implies."

"It's something I love to do, and sometimes my family hates me for it but that's the challenge. Many associate me with success at Toluca and in my coaching career. I am the type where challenges turn me on."

Prior to his time at Queretaro, Cristante was head coach at Toluca from 2016-2019 and then again in 2021.

But Cristante is perhaps most well-known for his own success as a player. He is one of the best goalkeepers all-time in the history of Liga MX.

Cristante joined Toluca full-time in 1998, and made 419 total appearances in goal for the club until his departure in 2010. He was nominated for Mexican Goalkeeper of the year four times.

Perhaps its fitting that FC Juarez's has been heavily linked to adding a prestigious goalkeeper. It is rumored that FC Juarez will sign Mexican National team goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera off transfer from Pumas UNAM.

In addition to a stellar career in the Liga MX, Talavera has 41 caps for "El Tri" as a goalkeeper.

FC Juarez is owned by MountainStar Sports Group, the same ownership as El Paso-based Locomotive FC and the El Paso Chihuahuas.