Tigres UANL facts for kids
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| Full name | Club Tigres de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León | |||
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| Nickname(s) | Los Tigres (The Tigers) La U de Nuevo León (The U of Nuevo León) Los Auriazules (The Golden-Blues) Los Tigres de México (The Tigers of Mexico) |
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| Founded | March 7, 1960, as Club Deportivo Universitario de Nuevo León | |||
| Ground | Estadio Universitario | |||
| Capacity | 41,615 | |||
| Owner | UANL Cemex (through Sinergia Deportiva) |
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| Chairman | Mauricio Culebro | |||
| Manager | Veljko Paunović | |||
| League | Liga MX | |||
| Clausura 2024 | Regular phase: 5th Final phase: Quarter-finals |
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Club Tigres de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, or simply Tigres UANL, is a professional football team from Monterrey metropolitan area, Mexico. The club started in 1960 as Club Deportivo Universitario de Nuevo León. It changed to its current name in 1967. Tigres has played for 60 years in Liga MX, which is the top football league in Mexico.
Tigres won its first big trophy in the 1975–76 season. They were the first team from Nuevo León to win the Copa MX. Tigres has won the league championship eight times and the Copa MX three times.
In international games, Tigres won the CONCACAF Champions League in 2020. They were also runners-up three times. In 2015 Copa Libertadores Finals, they finished second to River Plate. Tigres made history in the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup. They were the first team from CONCACAF (North, Central America, and Caribbean) to reach the final. They finished second to Bayern Munich.
Tigres is the official team of the University of Nuevo León. Their home stadium is the Estadio Universitario. It can hold 41,615 fans. The stadium is located inside the university in San Nicolás de los Garza. The team's colors are gold and blue. Tigres has a big rivalry with C.F. Monterrey. Their local match is called the Clásico Regiomontano.
Contents
History of Tigres UANL
How Tigres Started and Became Champions
Club de Fútbol Tigres de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León was founded on March 7, 1960. They used to be called the Jabatos de Nuevo León. In 1967, their home stadium, the Estadio Universitario, was built.
In the 1973–74 season, coach José "Ché" Gómez led the team to win the title. This win promoted them to the Primera División de México, now called Liga MX. They beat Leones Negros de la Universidad de Guadalajara 3–2. In the 1975–76 season, Tigres won their first national cup, the Copa México (now Copa MX). They won against América with a score of 3–2.
Under coach Carlos Miloc and players like Tomás Boy and Gerónimo Barbadillo, Tigres aimed for the league championship in 1977–78. In the play-offs, they beat Estudiantes Tecos and Cruz Azul. In the finals, they defeated UNAM 3–1. Tigres had their best season in 1978–79 with 48 points.
In the 1979–80 season, Tigres reached the finals against Cruz Azul but lost 4–3 overall. In the 1981–82 season, they won their second league championship against Atlante. They won after a penalty shoot-out. In 1988, the famous Mexican midfielder Tomás Boy retired after 14 years with the team. In 1990, Tigres lost the 1989–90 Copa Mexico final to Puebla.
Relegation and Return to the Top League
In 1996, Tigres won their second national cup, beating Atlas 2–1. However, they were moved down to a lower league, Primera División A (now Ascenso MX). This happened because of their poor results over several past seasons. The Mexican League uses a special system where teams are relegated based on their performance over time.
After this, a company called Sinergia Deportiva, owned by CEMEX, took over the team's management. In 1997, Tigres won two championships in Primera División A. This allowed them to quickly return to the top league. In 1998, Tigres signed international player Luis Hernández.
Under Brazilian coach Ricardo Ferretti, Tigres had a strong season in Verano 2001. They finished fourth and made it to the play-offs. In Invierno 2001, Tigres finished first in the league. They reached the finals but lost to Pachuca 3–1. In June 2002, the talented Argentine player Walter Gaitán joined the team. He later became a very important player for Tigres.
In Clausura 2003, Tigres finished fourth and made the play-offs. They beat Toluca but lost to their rival, Monterrey. After this loss, coach Ricardo Ferretti was fired. In Apertura 2003, under new coach Nery Pumpido, Tigres finished first again. They reached the finals but lost to Pachuca once more. In Clausura 2004, Tigres beat Monterrey 6–2. This was their biggest win ever in a Clásico Regiomontano.
In Apertura 2005, Walter Gaitán was the top scorer in the league. Tigres made it to the play-offs. They played against América and won 4–1 in the second game. This was a big surprise, known as the "Aztecazo." They then faced Monterrey in the semi-finals. Monterrey advanced because they had more points in the regular season.
On August 3, 2006, Tigres played a friendly match against Barcelona to celebrate CEMEX's 100th anniversary. Barcelona won 3–0. In December 2007, Tigres signed Lucas Lobos, who became another fan favorite. In Apertura 2008, Tigres reached the play-offs but lost to Atlante.
The Third Era of Ricardo Ferretti and Recent Successes
In 2010, Tigres had a very tough season. The team president was replaced, and Ricardo Ferretti returned as head coach for the third time. This changed everything for Tigres. They avoided being relegated and became one of the best teams in the league. With players like Damián Álvarez, Danilinho, Héctor Mancilla, and captain Lucas Lobos, their attack was called the "Cuatro Fantásticos" (Fantastic Four).
In Clausura 2011, Tigres finished first and had the best defense in league history. They only allowed 9 goals in 17 games. In Apertura 2011, Tigres had the best defense again. They reached the finals and faced Santos Laguna. On December 11, 2011, Tigres won 3–1 at home. They became champions for the third time after 29 years without a title.
In Clausura 2012, Tigres reached the semi-finals but lost to Santos Laguna. In Clausura 2013, Tigres finished first in the regular season. They lost to Monterrey in the play-offs. In Apertura 2013, Tigres reached the play-offs again. They lost to América, and coach Ferretti criticized the referee.
On April 9, 2014, Tigres won the Copa MX again. They beat Alebrijes de Oaxaca 3–0. Ricardo Ferretti became the first coach to win both a league and cup title with the same team in Mexico.
For Apertura 2014, Tigres signed new players like goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán and midfielder Egidio Arévalo Ríos. They finished second in the regular season. They reached the finals but lost to América in a controversial match. Three Tigres players received red cards.
In Apertura 2015, Tigres brought in wingers Jürgen Damm and Javier Aquino, and French striker André-Pierre Gignac. Gignac scored 11 goals in his first season. Tigres finished fifth and made the play-offs. They reached the finals against UNAM. After tying 4–4, the game went to a penalty shoot-out. Tigres won 4–2, claiming the Liga MX Apertura 2015 championship in a very exciting way.
In Clausura 2016, Gignac was the top scorer with 13 goals. Tigres made the play-offs but lost to Monterrey. In Apertura 2016, Tigres won the Campeón de Campeones Cup against Pachuca. They finished third in the regular season. In the play-offs, Gignac scored a hat-trick against UNAM. Tigres reached the finals against América. The game went to overtime and then a penalty shoot-out. Goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán saved three shots. Tigres won and became the Apertura 2016 champions.
For Clausura 2017, Tigres signed Chilean player Eduardo Vargas. They had the best defense, allowing only 12 goals. They beat Monterrey 6–1 in the play-offs. Tigres reached the finals but lost to Guadalajara. The referee's decision in that game was very controversial.
In Apertura 2017, Tigres won the Campeón de Campeones Cup again. They finished second in the regular season. In the play-offs, they beat América. Tigres then played their rival Monterrey in a historic final. Tigres won 2–1, claiming their fourth title since 2010. Because of their success, the media called Tigres "The Team of the Decade."
In Apertura 2018, Tigres won the Campeón de Campeones Cup for the third time in a row. They also won the first Campeones Cup against Toronto FC. In Clausura 2019, Tigres finished second. They reached the finals and beat León 1–0 to win their seventh league championship.
In May 2021, after 11 successful years, coach Ricardo Ferretti left Tigres. Miguel Herrera took over as coach. For Apertura 2021, Tigres signed French player Florian Thauvin, who won the World Cup in 2018.
After a tough season in Apertura 2022, coach Miguel Herrera was replaced by Diego Cocca. Cocca then left to coach the Mexico national team. Marco Antonio Ruiz became coach but was also replaced after a few games.
On April 10, 2023, Robert Siboldi became the new coach. Siboldi used to play for Tigres and was a fan favorite in the 1990s. He was part of the team that was relegated in 1996 but helped them return to the top league. Under Siboldi, Tigres reached the play-offs. They beat Toluca and then their city rival, Monterrey. In the finals, Tigres faced Guadalajara again. Tigres was losing 2–0 at halftime but came back to win 3–2 in overtime. Guido Pizarro scored the winning goal. Sebastián Córdova was a key player, scoring five goals in six games.
International Games
In January 2005, Tigres won the InterLiga Championship. This allowed them to play in the famous Copa Libertadores de América for the first time. Their first game in the tournament was a 0–0 draw against Alianza Lima in Peru. They got their first win against Caracas from Venezuela. Tigres made it to the quarter-finals but lost to São Paulo, who later won the tournament.
In January 2006, Tigres won their second Interliga. They became the first Mexican team to play in the Copa Libertadores two years in a row. They played against tough teams like Universidad Católica and Corinthians. Tigres made it to the next round by a small goal difference.
On August 5, 2009, Tigres won the North American SuperLiga final against the Chicago Fire. In 2012, Tigres returned to the Copa Libertadores but lost in the first stage. Coach Ricardo Ferretti was criticized for using a reserve team. Tigres also played in the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time. They lost in the quarter-finals. Ferretti was criticized again for using a reserve team.
Copa Libertadores 2015
Tigres played in the Copa Libertadores 2015. They were in a group with River Plate, San José, and Juan Aurich. Tigres won their group easily. They even sent a reserve team to play their last group game and still won 5–4. This win eliminated Juan Aurich.
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Tigres then beat Universitario de Sucre and Emelec to reach the semi-finals. They faced S.C. Internacional. Tigres won 4–3 overall and became the third Mexican team to reach the Copa Libertadores finals. In the finals, they played River Plate. After a 0–0 draw in the first game, Tigres lost 3–0 in the second game.
CONCACAF Champions League 2015–16
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Tigres played in the 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League. They won their group games. In the knockout stage, they beat Real Salt Lake and Querétaro. They reached the finals but lost to Club América 4–1 overall.
CONCACAF Champions League 2016–17
As champions of Apertura 2015, Tigres qualified for the 2016–17 CONCACAF Champions League. They won most of their group games. In the knockout stage, they beat Pumas UNAM and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Tigres reached the finals again but lost to Pachuca FC 2–1 overall.
CONCACAF Champions League 2020
UANL finally won the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League. They defeated LAFC 2–1 in the final.
Campeones Cup
Tigres won the first Campeones Cup in 2018. They beat Toronto FC 3–1. They won it again in 2023, becoming the first team to win the Campeones Cup more than once. Tigres is still the only Mexican team to have won this competition.
Leagues Cup
Tigres has played in the Leagues Cup twice. In 2019, they reached the final but lost to Cruz Azul. In 2023, they won their group matches and beat Vancouver Whitecaps. However, they lost to Monterrey in the round of 16.
2020 FIFA Club World Cup
By winning the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League, Tigres qualified for the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar. They beat Ulsan Hyundai 2–1 in their first game. Then, they won 1–0 against Palmeiras in the semi-final. Tigres became the first team from CONCACAF to reach the FIFA Club World Cup final. They lost 1–0 to FC Bayern Munich. André-Pierre Gignac scored all three of Tigres' goals. He was the top scorer and won the Silver Ball award as the second-best player.
Club Culture
Team Colors
Since 1960, Tigres' main colors have been light gold and dark blue. For home games, light gold is usually the main color. For away games, dark blue is the main color. The third color changes often. It has been black, white, red, green, copper, or dark gold.
Rivalry with Monterrey
Tigres' biggest rival is Monterrey. Their rivalry match is called the Clásico Regiomontano. Tickets for this game always sell out quickly. It is known as one of the most exciting rivalries in Mexican football. Many people think it's the most important Mexican derby after the Clásico Nacional.
The first Clásico was on July 13, 1974, and ended in a 3–3 draw. In 2017, Tigres and Monterrey played a historic final for the Liga MX championship. Tigres won 2–1 in the second game to claim the title. In 2019, Tigres lost the CONCACAF Champions League final to Monterrey.
Fanbase
Tigres fans are known for being very loyal. Their stadium, Estadio Universitario, is almost always full. This is because they have over 39,000 season ticket holders. Even when the team was relegated in 1996, fans continued to fill the stadium for every home game.
Tigres fans are called "Incomparables" (Incomparable ones). They are famous for traveling in large numbers to support the team in away games. Their fan base is strong in other Mexican states like Coahuila and Texas in the US. Many sports media outlets in Mexico say Tigres has the best fans in Liga MX. This is because of their loyalty, even when the team is not doing well. The biggest group of Tigres fans is called Libres y Lokos, founded in 1998. In 2013, over 23,000 fans traveled to San Luis Potosí to support the team.
Honours and Achievements
National Titles
| Type | Competition | Titles | Winning seasons | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Top League |
Primera División de México/Liga MX | 8 | 1977–78, 1981–82, Apertura 2011, Apertura 2015, Apertura 2016, Apertura 2017, Clausura 2019, Clausura 2023 | 1979–80, Invierno 2001, Apertura 2003, Apertura 2014, Clausura 2017, Apertura 2023 |
| Copa México/Copa MX | 3 | 1975–76, 1995–96, Clausura 2014 | 1989–90 | |
| Campeón de Campeones | 4 | 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023 | 1976, 2019 | |
| Supercopa MX | 0 | – | 2014 | |
| Supercopa de la Liga MX | 0 | – | 2024 | |
| Lower Leagues | Primera División A | 2 | Invierno 1996, Verano 1997 | – |
| Campeón de Ascenso | 1 | 1996–97 | – | |
| Segunda División de México | 1 | 1973–74 | 1971–72 |
International Titles
| Type | Competition | Titles | Winning seasons | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide FIFA | FIFA Club World Cup | 0 | – | 2020 |
| Continental CONCACAF | CONCACAF Champions Cup/Champions League | 1 | 2020 | 2015–16, 2016–17, 2019 |
| Continental CONMEBOL | CONMEBOL Libertadores | 0 | – | 2015 |
Regional Titles
| Type | Competition | Titles | Winning seasons | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  North America MLS-Liga MX |
Leagues Cup | 0 | – | 2019 |
| North American SuperLiga | 1 | 2009 | – | |
| Campeones Cup | 2 | 2018, 2023 | – |
Friendly Titles
- Triangular Melina Mercouri Grecia (1): 1995
- Rio Grande Plate (3): 2007, 2008, 2009
- Serie Mundial de Fútbol (1): 2007
- Copa Chiapas (1): 2008
- Copa Cani (1): 2013
- Copa Nissan (1): 2016
Team Management
Club Leadership
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Sporting Chairman |  Mauricio Culebro |
| Director of football | Gerardo Torrado |
| President of the Sinergia Deportiva Liaison Sporting Council (CEMEX-UANL management joint venture) | Mauricio Doehner |
| Coordinator of football | Vacant |
| Director of academy | Juan Carlos Ortega |
Source: Liga MX
Coaching Staff
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Manager |  Veljko Paunović |
| Assistant managers |  Nuno Gomes |
 Quinton Fortune |
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 Claudio Arzeno |
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| Goalkeeper coach | Aarón Fernández |
| Fitness coaches | Oscar Farias Fialho |
 Oscar Ortega Del Río |
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| Pablo di Martino |
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| Physiotherapists | Jorge Raffetto |
| José de la Rosa |
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| Leonardo González |
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| Team doctor | Gerardo Toledo |
Players
First-Team Squad
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Players on Loan
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Reserve Teams
- Tigres SD
- This is a reserve team that plays in the Liga TDP. This is the fourth level of the Mexican football league system.
Sponsors
- Official shirt sponsors: Cemex (Cemento Monterrey), Coca-Cola, The Home Depot, Tecate, Afirme, Telcel, Carl's Jr., Chirey
- Official shirt maker: Adidas
- Official Beer: Tecate
- Official drinks: Coca-Cola Mexico
Recent Coaches
Grimaldo González (1971–1972)- Salvador "Chava" Reyes (1972–1973)
Árpád Fekete (1974–1976)- Carlos Miloc (1977–1978) (1981–1982)
Carlito Peters (1979)- Alfonso Portugal (1982–1983)
- Hugo Fernández (1988–1989)
Carlos Reinoso (1989–1992)- Carlos de los Cobos (1994–1995)
- Víctor Manuel Vucetich (July 1, 1995 – June 30, 1996)
- Alberto Guerra (1997)
- Miguel Mejía Barón (1999)
- Víctor Manuel Vucetich (September 17, 1999 – June 30, 2000)
- Ricardo Ferretti (July 1, 2000 – June 30, 2003)
- Nery Pumpido (July 1, 2003 – November 15, 2004)
- Leonardo Álvarez (Jan 2005–Dec 5)
- Ricardo Ferretti (January 1, 2006 – June 30, 2006)
- José Luis Trejo (July 1, 2006 – October 1, 2006)
- Mario Carrillo (October 6, 2006 – June 30, 2007)
- Américo Gallego (July 1, 2007 – February 13, 2008)
- Manuel Lapuente (February 14, 2008 – February 22, 2009)
- José Pekerman (February 24, 2009 – June 30, 2009)
- Daniel Guzmán (July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010)
- Ricardo Ferretti (July 1, 2010 - May 9, 2021)
- Miguel Herrera (May 20, 2021 – November 9, 2022)
- Diego Cocca (November 16, 2022 – February 9, 2023)
- Marco Antonio Ruiz (February 9, 2023 – April 9, 2023)
- Robert Siboldi (April 10, 2023 – June 4, 2024)
- Veljko Paunović (June 9, 2024 – Present)
Images for kids
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Tigres UANL logo from 2002–2012
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Tigres playing against Xolos de Tijuana in 2011.
See also
In Spanish: Tigres de la UANL para niños
- Football in Mexico
- List of world champion football clubs and vice-world champions in football
