Following the sacking of Club América's manager Ignacio Ambríz, La Volpe was announced as manager on 22 September 2016. He won his first game in charge two days later, defeating Universidad Nacional 2–1. He led América towards a strong final stretch at the end of 2016, culminating with a fourth-place finish at the FIFA Club World Cup and finishing runners-up in the Apertura championship match against Tigres UANL.