Francisco Meneghini continues to shape the squad University of Chile for what will be the 2026 season where it will have several fronts, the first beating Palestino to access the group zone of the Copa Sudamericana.
The Argentine has been working for days, even though he only formalized his arrival on Monday, December 29, but the truth is that Paqui does not want to leave any detail to chance.
That is why he made the decision to first gather all the U youth players who are in a position to meet the under 21 minutes imposed by the championships in Chile. The meeting will be this Friday, January 2.
Likewise, Meneghini has made a decision, approve Yahir Salazar’s loan, the one who was in Audax Italiano this season and, apparently, will not have space in his team.
The destination for the central defender? Sports La Serena would have everything agreed to receive the former under 20 team.
Paqui Meneghini’s “Master Plan”: Why the future of the U is in the hands of the new DT
Ehe brand new coach of Universidad de Chile, Francisco Meneghini, wasted no time and already set his sights on the CDA’s most precious treasure: the quarry. At BOLAVIP we analyze the close link between “Paqui” and young football and why this alliance could be the key to blue success in 2026.
The arrival of Francisco Meneghini to the bank University of Chile It’s not just a name change; It is a paradigm shift. While the leadership works in a complex transfer market, the Argentine strategist has decided to look inward, calling for a “youth summit” for this Friday January 2 that will mark the beginning of its era.
A coach who speaks the same language
At 37 years old, Paqui is a technician who breaks the generational gap. His link with young football is neither new nor accidental. Already in his steps Unión La Calera, Everton and O’HigginsMeneghini showed that for him, age is just a number on the license.
Under his command, players who today are national realities took their first steps with a clear slogan: tactical intensity. Meneghini does not “put in youth” to comply with a rule; He includes them because his high-pressure and quick transitions scheme requires young legs and the freshness that only the youth team can offer.
The legacy of the CDA and the South American challenge
Meneghini receives one of the most interesting batches from the U in the last decade. Names like Ignacio Vásquez, Martín Espinoza and John Cortés They are no longer just promises heard in the corridors of the CDA; They are pieces that the coach intends to polish for the debut against Palestino in the South American Cup.
Paqui understands that the young soccer player from the U needs more than just minutes: he needs confidence and a fixed position. Their work will focus on preventing talents like “Nacho” Vásquez from being diluted due to the lack of a clear role, giving them the tactical structure so that talent flows without the excessive weight of responsibility.
Discipline as a basis
But it’s not all creative freedom. Meneghini’s link with the youth players is also maximum requirement. The coach is known for his rigor in training and for not giving away a single minute. Those who appear this Friday at the CDA know that the “Paqui” will evaluate not only the technique, but the capacity for sacrifice.
For the U of 2026, young football will not be a filler, it will be the motor. And with a “teacher” who knows how to enhance youth rebellion with professional order, the blue fan has every reason to be excited.
