Manuel Keosseián returned to Honduras on Nov. 5 to fulfill a promise to the family of Orinson Amaya, appearing at Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula for Club Deportivo Marathón’s Liga Nacional match against Platense in the 2026 Apertura tournament, DIEZ.HN reported. The Uruguayan strategist, one of the most celebrated coaches in the Honduran club’s history, drew nostalgia and affection from fans as he watched the match at the stadium where he built his legend.
The visit carried personal weight. Keosseián told DIEZ.HN, La Prensa and El Heraldo in separate interviews at the stadium that his trip was driven by a commitment he made to Amaya’s relatives.
“I came today. The reason I came here was because I promised I would come on this date for something very special the family has, for Orinson Amaya and his family,” Keosseián said. “Besides, I like coming here and seeing friends.”
The three outlets reported the same core account, though they differed on the matchday number: DIEZ.HN described the game as matchday 13 of the 2026 Apertura, while La Prensa and El Heraldo identified it as matchday 23. All three agreed on the venue, the opponent and the reason for Keosseián’s presence.
A new life away from the dugout
Keosseián, known as “Manolo,” has stepped away from professional coaching. He said he remains active only in the Coaches Association of Uruguay, where he serves as vice president.
“Fine, all good, happy to be in San Pedro. I’m done with football; I’m still with the Coaches Association of Uruguay as vice president, but nothing else after that,” he told the Honduran outlets.
Asked whether former Marathón player Silvio Rudman had been part of his squad, Keosseián clarified the timeline: Rudman had played under Chelato Uclés before Keosseián arrived in Honduras.
“No. He was there before with Chelato. By the time I arrived, he had already left,” Keosseián said.
Keosseián on Marathón’s current form
The 2026 Apertura season has Marathón playing well, in Keosseián’s assessment, and the club had just secured qualification for the Concachampions — the CONCACAF Champions Cup — after several years away from the competition.
“I’ve seen them in some matches and I see them doing very well. They play well and have a good team. I think they should be a little higher in the standings, but they’re on the right track,” Keosseián said.
Champions League memories at the Olímpico Metropolitano
The return to San Pedro Sula stirred memories of Keosseián’s international campaigns with Marathón in the CONCACAF Champions League, when the green team beat regional powers at the Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano. He recalled facing DC United, Cruz Azul and Saprissa in that era.
“It was a beautiful era,” Keosseián said. “It’s very good that they qualified and that Marathón is like this now, always supporting the team and following it.”
Reunion with Mario Berrios
After speaking quickly with reporters Mario Jafeth Moreno and Walter García, Keosseián received a warm embrace from Mario Berrios, one of the players he coached during his golden era at Marathón, all three outlets reported.
Marathón’s next confirmed checkpoint is its return to the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the competition Keosseián helped put on the map in San Pedro Sula during his tenure with the club.
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