Ricardo Ferretti

Lore & Background

As a player, Ferretti was an attacking midfielder renowned for his free-kick expertise, mobility, powerful right foot, and natural leadership. He spent the bulk of his career with Universidad Nacional, where he stands as the club's second all-time leading scorer. Before making Mexico his home, he turned out for Botafogo, Vasco da Gama, and Bonsucesso in Brazil, and went on to represent Atlas, Neza, Monterrey, and Toluca on the Mexican side of his career. As a manager, Ferretti led several prominent Mexican clubs, including Universidad Nacional, Guadalajara, Toluca and Cruz Azul. His most enduring and influential spell came with Tigres UANL, where he served for eleven years and guided them to five league championships. In addition to his club career, he was appointed interim head coach of the Mexico national team on three occasions, overseeing a total of eleven matches. Ferretti holds the national record for the most league matches managed, and alongside Ignacio Trelles, shares the distinction of being the most decorated manager in Mexican football history by league titles.

Reader's Guide

Ferretti launched his career in Brazil, entering the Botafogo youth academy. He later moved to Vasco da Gama and Bonsucesso, though he found limited playtime at both clubs. In 1977, his agent arranged a move to Mexico. He arrived to strengthen Atlas during the 1977–1978 season. Despite scoring nine goals, Atlas went down. He left at the end of the season and signed with UNAM. With Pumas, he reached the final of the 1978–1979 season, though Cruz Azul claimed the title. Under Bora Milutinović, Pumas reached the final of the 1980–1981 tournament, defeating Cruz Azul 4–2 on aggregate. Ferretti’s stay with UNAM lasted until 1985. That year, they reached another final, falling to Club América. After stints with Neza, Monterrey, and Toluca, Ferretti returned to Pumas for the 1990–1991 season. In the final against Club América, he scored a stunning free-kick goal that delivered another league title. With 128 goals across all competitions, he cemented his place as the club’s second all-time top scorer. Following that championship, Ferretti retired as a footballer and immediately took charge of Pumas. He began his managerial career in 1991 with Universidad Nacional. In the 1996–97 season, he moved to Guadalajara, leading them to victory in the Verano 1997 tournament. In the Invierno 2000, Ferretti took charge of Tigres UANL. In his first season, he led the team to the playoffs, and in the following season, they finished as runners-up. After Tigres were eliminated by Monterrey in the Clausura 2003 semi-finals, the club opted not to renew his contract. Ferretti moved to Toluca in the Apertura 2003. There, the club won the CONCACAF Champions Cup. His tenure ended due to differences with José Cardozo. Ferretti's next role was at Morelia. He returned to Tigres for a second stint during the Clausura 2006, but after failing to qualify for the playoffs, he was let go. Once again, Ferretti took charge of Universidad Nacional in the Apertura 2006. Under his guidance, Pumas reached the final of the Apertura 2007, though they were defeated by Atlante. The following Clausura 2009 saw Ferretti lead Pumas to another final, where they triumphed over Pachuca to claim the title. Ferretti’s third tenure at Tigres began in the Apertura 2010. His arrival marked the start of a turnaround, culminating in a league title in the Apertura 2011, where they defeated Santos Laguna.

Did You Know?

• Ferretti scored a stunning free-kick goal in the 1990–91 final against Club América to deliver a league title for Pumas.
• Ferretti guided Tigres to their first CONCACAF Champions League title in December 2020, defeating Los Angeles FC.