In a post, the World Cup site echoed the end of Gallardo’s cycle in River, with an image that combines an image of the Doll as a player of the Argentine team and another with the DT bag. It is worth remembering that Gallardo participated twice in World Cups, in the 1998 World Cups in France, where Argentina reached the quarterfinals, and in South Korea and Japan 2002, with the elimination in the first round, although he did not reach play in this contest.
Gallardo spoke for all the River fans in the celebrations that meant the title obtained in the 2018 Copa Libertadores, the remembered final once morest Boca won at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid. His phrases will never be forgotten by fans of the Millionaire.
The social networks of the league in which Gallardo played in 2008, representing DC United (he won the US Open Cup that year), also sent their congratulations to the Doll for his successful cycle: “We wish you much success in your future projects, Marcelo”.
Marcelo Gallardo leaves River with the peace of mind that, in his direct duels once morest the other four greats of Argentine football, he has a positive balance. San Lorenzo is the team he beat the most, with 8 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses in 13 games; Racing follows with 6 wins, 4 equalities and 2 falls in 12 crosses; once morest Independiente they also met 12 times and beat it in 6, tied in 2 and were defeated in 4; and Boca is the one with whom they collided the most, on 26 occasions, and with whom they have the most even record: 8 wins, 11 draws and 7 falls, including the most recent 1-0 in the Bombonera.
El Tigre, who has just finished his relationship with the Peruvian team following seven very successful years, also sounded in the last few hours as a possible occupant of the vacancy left by Gallardo. During his time as a footballer he controversially passed from Boca to Millionaire in 1985, earning the resentment of an important branch of Xeneizes fans.
The left-back, who is currently on loan at Once Caldas on loan from River, took the opportunity to greet his father for the achievements he achieved at the Núñez club: “The greatest, by far. We love you”.
Less than a month ago, the historic former Boca goalkeeper had given his impressions regarding Gallardo’s future, which incredibly ended up coming true: “I have one certainty and that is that the antidote to bad results and irregularity is Gallardo, but I also believe that we are very close to the end of Gallardo’s brilliant cycle”, he reflected, and then affirmed: “I honestly do not see Gallardo beyond October in River. I speak by intuition or presumption and I can be wrong, but it is what I see.
Still wearing the long hair that characterized him in his time as a player, a young Gallardo was modest regarding his characteristics as a coach and his previous experiences: “I am a coach who tries to respect the history and football culture of the clubs. I haven’t had much experience in terms of the variety of teams, but I have been in Nacional, a big team in America”.
The French champion, where Gallardo played in 2007, sent a message of support to the Muñeco once the news was known: “The end of a great era in River Plate and Argentine football. Good luck in whatever comes next!”
The club’s social media channels dedicated some heartfelt words to the outgoing coach, at the time of announcing his decision, following “more than eight years of glory that will remain forever in the history of River and football.”
Among the first possible replacements that are considered to take the position vacated by Gallardo are Martín Demichelis, current coach of FC Bayern II (the reserve of the top German winner); Pablo Aimar, who today is in charge of the Argentine under 17 team; and curiously Ramón Díaz, whom the Doll replaced back in 2014 and who today directs Al-Hilal, champion of Saudi Arabia.
Marcelo Gallardo He is sitting at the table of two millionaire emblems like Angel Labruna and Ramón Díaz. “Whatever happens, Gallardo must be made two statues, not one.” The words that former president Rodolfo D’Onofrio released a few years ago is what is already heard at every step in the corridors of the Monumental”,
A press conference that will go down in history: the moment in which he announces the goodbye to Núñez
“It has been a beautiful story,” Gallardo said, before saying goodbye to the journalists and hugging the leaders. “I want to thank the fan, who since I took office in 2014, in every tribute they have paid me when entering a playing field, it will be an indelible memory for me,” he said, announcing: “Sunday will be my last game in the Monumental”. He referred to the match that Núñez’s team will play once morest Rosario Central this Sunday, at 8:30 p.m.
The Doll is on the verge of tears: “I knew it was going to be a very delicate moment to express myself. Beyond the announcement, I am here to thank you. Thank you for all the affection and love you gave me. Thank you all so much for being here.”
Marcelo Gallardo announced the end of the contract with River in December, following eight years full of success. “I’ll take a short break. I am here to thank the people who trusted me.” “I want to say thank you to the people who accompanied me during these 8 years. To all my coaching staff, to the people who have worked with me and who have pushed me to have the strength to continue in a permanent maelstrom of great effort”.
Marcelo Gallardo is accompanied by the president of River, Jorge Brito, the vice Matías Patanian and the manager, Enzo Francescoli.
Since his arrival in 2014, River closed a total of 58 reinforcements under Gallardo’s technical direction, including 10 additions in 2022 alone. Esequiel Barco, Marcelo Herrera, Leandro González Pírez, Elías Gómez, Emmanuel Mammana, Tomás Pochettino and the return of Juan Fernando Quintero took place in the first semester, while in the second half of the year the Millionaire closed Rodrigo Aliendro, Pablo Solari and Miguel Borja.
Despite closing 2022 without having won titles, Marcelo Gallardo’s cycle at the helm of River was consolidated as the most successful in the club’s history, with no less than 14 trophies: a Professional League (2021), two Copa Libertadores ( 2015, 2018), one South American Cup (2014), three South American Cup Winners Cups (2015, 2016, 2019), one Suruga Bank Cup (2015), three Argentine Cups (2016, 2017, 2019), two Argentine Super Cups (2017, 2019) and a Champions Trophy (2021).
After last night’s victory once morest Platense, Gallardo maintained his position of not having contact with journalists and suspended the press conference. It was the fourth time in a row: his silence began in the loss to Cordoba Workshops as a local, on date 21 and, although he spoke for Copa Argentina in the penalty kick elimination once morest Patronage of Parana, did not speak in the next four matches of the tournament. The resounding victory once morest Argentine Juniors 3-0 in La Paternal (date 22), following another great victory by 5-0 once morest Students from La Plata (date 23), post victory once morest Patronato in Paraná by 1 to 0 (date 24) and the latter once morest Platense by 2 to 1 in the Monumental stadium (date 25).
It is what the vast majority of River fans expect when the pages of the almanac begin to run out: Marcelo Gallardo will announce his future as River coach. Does he stay or does he go? Out of habit, Gallardo always confirmed his continuity year following year at the end of the competition, following taking stock of the season, although this time he is ahead, beyond the fact that River has already met the goal of qualifying for the 2023 Copa Libertadores and He has very remote chances of fighting for the Professional League title in the last two dates. Núñez’s team is four points behind the leader Boca, which has one game in hand, will play its last home game of the year next Sunday once morest Rosario Central and on the final day it will be a visitor to Racing.
THE NATION
