Marcelo Gallardo became an institution at River Plate winning in the process two Copa Libertadores, one of them by defeating Boca Juniors in an epic final. Here are some of the rumored replacements for the man who came to be known as Napoleon.
Eight years ago, River Plate were struggling to get back on their feet in Argentina. Despite winning the championship with legendary manager Ramon Diaz, River were miles away from their place as one of Argentina’s best teams. Hired with the task of bringing the river back to its roots, Marcelo Gallardo delivered in spades.
Between 2014-2022, Gallardo won an unprecedented 14 league titles with the club he made his debut as a player in 1993. Among those 14 titles were countless victories over arch-rivals Boca Juniors, none more so than their defeat at the 2018 Copa Libertadores. Gallardo, who is considered by many to be one of the most influential managers in the history of South American football, he is leaving River Plate a much bigger club than when he founded it.
In addition to the titles, Gallardo built the foundations of professionalism, team mentality, training intensity and proper codes of conduct that are often lacking in today’s teams in Argentina. With Gallardo stepping down as River manager, the club must look elsewhere to fill the biggest shoes in River Plate history.
Possible replacements for Marcelo Gallardo at River Plate
Upon Gallardo’s announcement that he’d step down from River Plate at the end of the current season, important pundits, and media sources like Diario Ole have already reported who might be on River Plate’s shortlist.
