Millonarios FC confirmed the departure of Fabián Bustos on September 1, 2026, ending a seven-month tenure that began in February. Despite maintaining a fifth-place standing in the Liga BetPlay 2026-II standings with 11 points through the opening stretch, club leadership moved to dismiss the Argentine manager following a scoreless draw against Internacional de Bogotá, citing concerns over the team’s style of play.
The Official Announcement and Statistics Behind Bustos’s Exit
According to official club statements reported by regional sports outlets, Millonarios announced on September 1, 2026, that Bustos would no longer continue at the helm of the professional squad. During his 32 matches in charge across all competitions since replacing Hernán Torres on February 2, 2026, Bustos registered 16 wins, 9 draws, and 7 losses, accumulating 58 goals for and 32 against, which calculated to a 59.4 percent overall efficiency rate.
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Despite those figures, the club missed key targets during the first semester of 2026. Millonarios finished tenth in the Liga 2026-I phase with 26 points, missing the postseason, and suffered a group-stage elimination in the Copa Sudamericana, despite overcoming Atlético Nacional in the opening preliminary round.
Fabián Bustos Responds to Dismissal
Speaking directly to the press following his departure, Bustos clarified that he did not step down voluntarily. Bustos expressed surprise at the timing, noting that his side sat fifth in the current Clausura table, had gone five consecutive matches without defeat, and boasted a solid defensive record that included four clean sheets and only one loss at the start of the tournament.
“Son decisiones que uno las respeta, pero no las comparte,” Bustos said in comments covered by El Tiempo, pointing out his prior record as a two-time champion in Ecuador and Peru.
Coaching Instability at El Campín
The managerial change underscores a period of heavy turnover for the Bogotá-based club. Following the long-tenured era of Alberto Gamero, Millonarios has cycled through three distinct head coaches over a span of one year and eight months: David González, the returning Hernán Torres, and finally Bustos, who experienced his first stint in Colombian professional football.
Candidates to Replace Bustos
In the wake of the dismissal, media reports from journalists including Guillermo Arango, Mariano Olsen, and Felipe Sierra indicate that club directors have already begun evaluating successors. Alberto Gamero has emerged as the strongest candidate to return to the bench just one year and nine months after concluding his five-year tenure in December 2024, during which he captured three titles, including the 2023 Liga BetPlay crown.
Next Steps for Millonarios
The club’s executive board has initiated discussions to appoint a permanent successor ahead of upcoming domestic fixtures. Fans and analysts await official confirmation regarding the technical staff that will direct the squad in the next round of the Liga BetPlay.
