Veteran Argentine coach Marcelo Gallardo has officially announced his departure from River Plate, confirming his exit from the club's helm after a string of disappointing results for "Los Millonarios" recently. The coach, nicknamed "El Puppete" (The Puppet), indicated that the upcoming league match against Banfield next Thursday will be his final game on the bench of the team with which he forged a rich history in previous years.
A second term that did not reach the old glory
Gallardo's return to his old home at the Monumental wasn't what the club's fans had hoped for. After returning to the helm on August 10, 2024, following a brief and unsuccessful stint with Saudi club Al-Ittihad, the fans' aspirations clashed with a harsh reality. The results during this period were a far cry from the established image of his first golden era, when he dominated Latin America.
In the undeniable language of statistics, Gallardo led the team in his second stint for 85 matches, managing only 35 wins, 32 draws, and 18 defeats. Most painful for the fans was the team's failure to win any trophies, which hastened his departure as the team was unable to rediscover its fierce attacking prowess.
An emotional farewell message to the fans
In a moving statement reported by the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Gallardo addressed the club's supporters directly, saying: "This is a message to all River Plate fans. I will try to be brief so as not to be overwhelmed by sadness and pain as I announce that Thursday's match will be my last." The coach, considered by many to be one of the best in the club's history, added: "I have nothing but words of thanks, especially to this great club and its fans, for their unconditional love throughout these years, even in the most difficult moments, when things didn't go as planned.".
Apology for not achieving the goals
Gallardo did not hesitate to take responsibility, expressing his regret for the results, adding: “I am deeply saddened that we were unable to achieve our goals. I would like to thank everyone who trusted me, and all the members of the technical staff, for representing this prestigious club. I have nothing but words of thanks and gratitude to everyone.”.
He concluded his remarks with sincere wishes for the club's future: "I express my mutual love to all the fans, and I sincerely hope that this club, which has grown tremendously in recent years and become a role model, will achieve good results on the pitch soon. Thank you very much, and I send you all my warmest regards.".
Historical context and the impact of departure
Gallardo's departure is a pivotal event in Argentine football, given the stature of the coach who previously led River Plate to two Copa Libertadores titles during his first stint. This decision presents the club's management with a significant challenge in finding a successor capable of returning the team to its former glory, especially in light of the fierce competition both domestically and continentally. Despite the unhappy ending to his second spell, Gallardo's legacy remains enshrined in the club's memory as one of the architects of its recent success.
