Melgar has reinforced its institutional core, unveiling Argentine Matías Sarue as the new sporting director ahead of the showdown with Universitario de Deportes.
The scout arrives from Lanús, where he spent the past four years heading scouting and helped the granate side reach major international tournaments.
“Welcome to the board, Matías!” the club posted on social media, hailing Sarue’s entry into the rojinegro family as sporting director.
During his four‑year stint at Lanús, Matías contributed to the squad’s run to the 2026 Recopa Sudamericana, the 2025 Copa Sudamericana and the 2024 Sudamericana semifinals, the club noted.
Now the Argentine will face a fresh challenge in Peru, steering Melgar’s sporting area and aiming to translate his past insights into the team’s planning.
Sarue also brings technical staff experience; he once worked beside Gabriel Heinze as analyst and scout, and has held varied roles at several South American clubs.
“He also served on Gabriel Heinze’s staff as analyst and scout, and held positions at Argentinos Juniors, Santamarina de Tandil, Ñublense and Palestino. Let’s hear it, Matías!” the announcement concluded.
Those diverse South American stints will now enrich the tools at his disposal for the Arequipa side.
His arrival comes as Melgar pushes for a top‑four finish in the Torneo Clausura 2026, with a demanding away test against Universitario looming.
The rojinegro squad travels to the ‘U’ on Saturday, 10 October, for matchday 11 of the Clausura, kicking off at 19:00 in the Estadio Monumental U Marathon, Ate.
Melgar heads into the fixture after a 1‑1 draw with Sport Boys in Arequipa, a point that keeps them within striking distance of the leaders.
Universitario, reeling from a heavy loss to Deportivo Garcilaso in Cusco, will look to capitalize on home advantage to claw back points.
Beyond the immediate result, Sarue now shoulders the task of injecting scouting expertise and strategic planning into Melgar’s institutional growth and sporting decisions. For my money, his analytical background could be the edge Melgar needs.