Pablo Guede: From Touchline Maverick to Puebla’s Mastermind

A Journey Built on Bold Ideas

Pablo Guede has never followed the beaten path. His coaching career reflects creativity, risk, and tactical flair. In 2025, he leads Puebla in Mexico's Liga MX. But his story stretches across continents. From the lower leagues of Argentina to the sidelines in Spain, Chile, and Mexico, Guede’s rise has been anything but ordinary.

Player to Coach: Starting from Scratch

Before becoming a coach, Pablo Guede enjoyed a modest playing career. He was a forward who traveled widely, suiting up in Spain, Chile, and Argentina. Though he never became a star, his experience shaped how he viewed the game.

Guede retired early and began coaching with little fanfare. He understood he would have to work harder than most. He studied tactics intensely and built relationships with local clubs. His first opportunities came in Argentina, where he started coaching youth teams and lower-division squads.

Nueva Chicago: Making Noise in Argentina

Guede’s big break came with Nueva Chicago, a team competing in Argentina’s second division. He brought an attacking mindset and modern pressing principles. Players responded to his bold instructions. The team played with confidence, moving the ball quickly and controlling space aggressively.

Under his guidance, Nueva Chicago earned promotion in 2014. Suddenly, Guede was no longer an unknown figure. His name began circulating in South American coaching circles.

San Lorenzo: High Expectations, High Stakes

Later that year, San Lorenzo, one of Argentina’s top clubs, hired Guede. The move shocked many. Could someone with so little top-flight experience handle the pressure?

Guede, as always, stuck to his ideas. He used a fluid 3-4-3 system, encouraged quick transitions, and gave creative players freedom. The team reached the final of the Argentine Primera División and made a solid showing in the Copa Libertadores.

However, his time at San Lorenzo was short-lived. Despite promising results, internal disagreements and media scrutiny made it tough. Guede stepped down in 2016, knowing his next move needed to be the right one.

Success in Chile with Colo-Colo

Guede moved to Colo-Colo in Chile, one of South America's most passionate clubs. Here, he truly found his rhythm. He led the team to multiple trophies, including:

Primera División title (2017)
Two Copa Chile victories (2016, 2017)
Supercopa de Chile (2017)

Colo-Colo played an aggressive, possession-based style. Fans loved the excitement. Guede also showed his flexibility, switching formations mid-game and giving youth players chances. This period solidified his reputation as an innovative and fearless coach.

European Experience with Almería and Málaga

After Chile, Guede explored opportunities in Europe, accepting roles with Almería and later Málaga in Spain’s Segunda División. These moves were challenging. He faced language barriers, boardroom politics, and tight budgets.

Despite the obstacles, Guede showed glimpses of brilliance. His teams were organized, disciplined, and intense. However, results didn’t always follow, and he eventually returned to Latin America.

Still, those stints expanded his perspective. He learned how European clubs operate and refined his tactical system further.

Landing in Mexico: Puebla and the Present

By 2020, Guede had entered the competitive world of Liga MX, Mexico’s top division. He coached Morelia, Tijuana, and Necaxa, each time attempting to implement his distinct philosophy.

In 2024, he took over Puebla. At the time, the club lacked identity and consistency. Guede immediately instilled energy and belief. Puebla began pressing higher, circulating the ball faster, and converting chances with precision.

Now, in 2025, Puebla is chasing a playoff spot under his leadership. Guede continues to experiment. He uses both back threes and back fours, depending on the opposition. His players rotate intelligently, and he focuses heavily on attacking transitions.

More importantly, the fans have rallied behind him. Puebla isn’t just playing to survive—they’re competing to win.

Coaching Philosophy: Organized Chaos

Guede thrives in systems that blur the lines between order and freedom. His teams press as a unit but allow flair in the final third. He values:

Tactical flexibility
Ball circulation
Youth development
Quick transitions

Many coaches fear too much change, but not Guede. He adapts week to week. Some call it chaotic, but to him, it’s just football evolving.

His methods require players with high football IQs. Not everyone fits into his system. But when the pieces are right, his teams can dominate both possession and territory.

Critics and Challenges

Of course, Guede’s approach has its critics. Some accuse him of overcomplicating tactics or relying too much on emotion. Others point to his short stays at clubs as a sign of instability.

Yet, every stop on his journey shows growth. Whether at San Lorenzo, Colo-Colo, or Puebla, Guede brings new ideas. He may not always win titles, but he changes how teams think and play.

Impact Beyond Results

Guede’s real legacy lies in his influence on players. Many who played under him speak highly of his passion and clarity. He motivates with energy and educates through repetition.

He also helps clubs evolve. His arrival at Puebla sparked an organizational shift. The club invested more in analytics, youth development, and tactical training. His presence has already left a mark, regardless of where Puebla finishes in the table.

What’s Next for Guede?

In 2025, Pablo Guede is still only 50. He’s already coached across three continents and multiple top-flight leagues. His name remains linked with international jobs, especially in South America.

Some see him as a future Argentina national team coach. Others believe he’s suited for club leadership in Brazil or a return to Spain. For now, though, he’s focused on Puebla.

He wants to finish what he started: turn Puebla into a respected and feared side in Liga MX.

Conclusion: A Coach Who Dares

Pablo Guede has built a career on boldness. He doesn't follow trends—he sets them. Whether managing in Argentina, Chile, Spain, or Mexico, he’s always pushing the game forward.

At Puebla, his current chapter is still unfolding. But one thing’s clear—Guede brings life and fire to every project he touches. And as 2025 progresses, fans in Mexico will continue to witness the rise of a coaching mind that dares to be different.

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