Atlético Bucaramanga President Óscar Álvarez Details Club Transformation and Pablo Peirano Plans
Atlético Bucaramanga president Óscar Álvarez Arévalo outlined the club’s trajectory from second-division struggles to reigning Colombian champions during an appearance on El Show del Deporte, Vanguardia reported. The team, currently managed by Pablo Peirano, sits undefeated in the Liga BetPlay II standings while working to secure a spot in the top eight to fight for another league title.
Álvarez traced the institution’s growth across a decade of structural and operational changes. When his family initially took over administration, the club competed in Colombia’s second division. Leadership focused on stabilizing the professional roster, upgrading physical infrastructure, and building a stronger administrative foundation to avoid slipping back into the relegation zone.
Bucaramanga Wins First Top-Flight Title
The turning point for the organization arrived in 2024 with the capture of the club’s first top-flight title, an achievement Álvarez described as the culmination of years of internal alignment and fulfillment of a promise made to the city of Bucaramanga. Vanguardia reported that prior to the final against Independiente Santa Fe, the family leadership reflected collectively on the difficult path required to reach that matchday.
Building on that breakthrough, club leadership has turned its focus back toward international competition. Bucaramanga participated in Conmebol tournaments a year ago, and Álvarez emphasized that returning to continental competition remains a priority to satisfy the fan base and accelerate the institution’s ongoing development.
Squad Evaluation and High-Profile Departures
Addressing the roster management following the first semester of 2026, Álvarez acknowledged that despite retaining talented individual players, the squad struggled to function effectively as a cohesive unit. An internal review prompted management to alter course for the second half of the year, fostering a more unified team atmosphere under the current technical staff.
The club president also addressed past decisions involving high-profile personnel exits. Regarding goalkeeper Aldair Quintana, Álvarez noted that the player’s departure created a difficult administrative hurdle for the institution. On the contractual status of Leonel Álvarez, the president confirmed that the matter is resolved and currently handled by legal counsel.
Bucaramanga Develops Panamanian Partnership for Young Players
In parallel with local competition, club officials are advancing an international collaborative project related to Panama, designed to create developmental pathways for young players from the Santander region.
In the immediate term, Bucaramanga remains focused on domestic league play under Pablo Peirano. Álvarez confirmed that the Uruguayan manager awaits the completion of a final match suspension before returning to the technical area, as the club targets a strong finish in the cuadrangulares.
