Who will steer the club forward? Once Caldas is still shaping the coaching staff to back Carlos Alberto ‘Panelo’ Valencia, who took over on an interim basis after Hernán Darío ‘Arriero’ Herrera departed amid poor results.
The two candidates for Once Caldas’ coaching staff
Valencia has reportedly floated two names for assistant roles: former players Samuel Vanegas and Elkin Soto, both members of the 2004 Libertadores‑winning squad.
The tip came from La FM Más Fútbol on Tuesday, September 29. Vanegas and Soto share a deep link to Once Caldas history, having helped defeat Boca Juniors in that continental final.
Back then, Samuel Vanegas was 26 while Elkin Soto was 22.
Vanegas wore the white shirt from 2001 to 2005 and returned for a second stint between 2007 and 2009.
Soto enjoyed a long spell with Once Caldas. The former midfielder logged 270 matches and lifted two trophies.
Could Elkin Soto’s tactical edge steer Once Caldas back to continental relevance?
He also dabbled in management, as he took charge in 2023 for seven games, posting three wins and four losses.
If either former star joins the bench, Once Caldas adds two insiders who lived the club’s golden chapter. In my view, that familiarity could reignite the team’s spirit.
The board keeps weighing options for the bench. Though several names float to permanently replace Herrera, Panelo Valencia might stay in charge for the rest of the year.
Whether Vanegas and Soto arrive hinges on club decisions and the final makeup of Valencia’s support staff.