Manuel Lapuente, renowned Mexican coach, dies at 81.
Soccer is once again in mourning following the death of renowned Mexican coach Manuel Lapuente, who passed away on the afternoon of Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the age of 81.
The emotional death of the player also known as 'Manolo' Lapuente has caused great shock among various Liga MX teams and, of course, among figures involved in Mexican soccer.
Likewise, Mexican fans have mourned the death of the man who led the Mexican National Team in the 1998 World Cup in France and won the 1999 Confederations Cup .
The BBVA MX League mourns the passing of Manuel Lapuente, a legend of our soccer as a player and coach. A champion as a coach of Puebla, Necaxa, and América, his legacy will live on forever.
In all J15 matches, one minute of time will be kept… pic.twitter.com/MJbi17cOEv
The causes of the legendary technical director's death are unknown at this time, however, media outlets such as ESPN , Récord and La Afición (from Milenio ) have requested authorization to confirm Lapuente 's death .
For its part, the Mexican National Team also confirmed the death of the Mexican coach on its official social media accounts, without providing further details. In the post, they simply stated that he will be "remembered for his great legacy."
The Mexican National Team deeply regrets the passing of Don Manuel Lapuente, a legend of Mexican soccer.
Don Manolo will be remembered for his great legacy as a player and coach. He managed the 1998 World Cup in France and won the Confederations Cup in 1999.… pic.twitter.com/pIin2GtDsS
— National Team (@miseleccionmx) October 26, 2025
'Manolo' , as he was affectionately known, had a successful career in the Liga MX, where he won five titles, two with Puebla, two with Necaxa and one more with América, a title that ended a streak of more than a decade without a title for the blue-cream club.
During his time as a footballer, Manuel Lapuente debuted with Monterrey and later played for Necaxa. He also played for Puebla, the club with which he would establish himself as a player, and also played for Atlas, the team with which he retired.
He was also a national team member and won the gold medal at the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg.
Manuel Lapuente, a historic figure with La Franja who left his mark on the hearts of all the people of Puebla.
Thank you for your legacy and love for this Club, which will remain forever. Rest in peace 🕊️ #LaFranjaNosUne 🎽 pic.twitter.com/52HBjPMz7O
— Club Puebla🎽 (@ClubPueblaMX) October 26, 2025
As a strategist , he began his career with Puebla , but also managed Tigres, Atlante, Cruz Azul, Necaxa , and América . His last club was La Franja in 2013, and he has not coached since.
At the club level, he won five Liga MX titles, but also won Cups, a Champion of Champions title, and a Concacaf Champions League title.
His strong performance from the bench earned him a position as coach of the Mexican national team , where he served twice. The first was in 1990-91 and the longest period was from 1997-2000, where he led the national team to the 1998 World Cup in France and two Confederations Cups.
As manager of the Tricolor, he won the 1998 Gold Cup and then the 1999 Confederations Cup, which many consider the greatest achievement in the history of the National Team, as they defeated Brazil 4-3 in the final thanks to a double from Miguel Ángel Zepeda, in addition to goals from Manuel Abundis and Cuauhtémoc Blanco. That match was held at the Estadio Azteca.
"Manuel Lapuente": Why are they reporting his death ? pic.twitter.com/fsewK4ExRq
— Why is it trending? (@porktendencia) October 25, 2025
All of us at Club América mourn the passing of Manuel Lapuente Díaz, the historic coach of the Águilas. A great man who will never fly alone.
📰 https://t.co/6ENK635dMQ pic.twitter.com/5pI0N1JTzZ
— Club América (@ClubAmerica) October 26, 2025
The Mexican soccer community deeply mourns the passing of one of the most important, beloved, and influential players and coaches in our sport. Manuel Lapuente is and will always be a soccer legend.
Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/Qyr8flx5Vb
— Mexican Football Federation (@FMF) October 25, 2025
Rest in peace Manuel Lapuente, former technical director of Cruz Azul and a renowned figure in Mexican soccer.
Prompt resignation to family and friends. pic.twitter.com/MBbjcJO8Gt
— CRUZ AZUL (@CruzAzul) October 25, 2025
We join in the grief that has gripped the football world over the tragic passing of Manuel Lapuente, an icon of Mexican football who began his career with our team and wore our jersey from 1964 to 1966.
We extend our condolences to his family and loved ones.… pic.twitter.com/hSmQLl2tyS
— Rayados (@Rayados) October 25, 2025
✝️ We deeply regret the passing of Manuel Lapuente, the Club's former technical director. We wish his family and friends a speedy recovery.
Rest in peace. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/klaVammhmN
— Club Tigres 🐯 (@TigresOficial) October 25, 2025
🏆⚽ “He was a 100% winner, and his teams spoke volumes about it”: David Faitelson remembers Manuel Lapuente as a relentless coach: his teams spoke for him, his triumphs outweighed his popularity. 🇲🇽🕊️
Juan Pablo Pérez-Díaz ( @perezdiazmx ) on #FormulaNews pic.twitter.com/Y2aGzXX4XX
— Formula Group (@Radio_Formula) October 26, 2025
*With information from ESPN.
yucatan
