Football Paulo Diaz and Pablo Solari smile: the signs that point to Marcelo Gallardo’s return to River Plate

River Plate are close to finalising the return of an old acquaintance to replace Martín Demichelis. After the confirmed departure of the coach, Marcelo Gallardo has become the obsession of the board of directors. After passing through Al Ittihad, where he had a conflict with Karim Benzeman, the Doll is in Argentina. This Tuesday, he will hold a face-to-face meeting with the casting management of the group. So far, they have had telephone contact. Popular pressure makes him the fans’ favorite. This Sunday, they chanted the name of the former midfielder during the millionaires’ agonizing victory over Sarmiento.

According to what the newspaper Clarín stated, unlike his previous break, the coach who also works at Nacional de Montevideo no longer wants to spend so much time without coaching. Last time, it took a while to find a club. In fact, he was put in the orbit of several European clubs, but ended up in Saudi Arabia. On that occasion, he even rejected an offer from Olympique de Marseille, while Alexis Sánchez was still a member of the Ligue 1 team.

In this line, River’s board’s plan B would be Eduardo Coudet who is free after his departure from Internacional. The man from Rosario, Argentina, managed Rosario Central and Racing. As a footballer, he climbed the millionaire ladder between 1999 and 2004. The deadline set for Núñez is for his new coach to sign before the Copa Libertadores round of 16, where they face Talleres on August 15.

According to TyC Sports, the team is playing an important role in the negotiations with Gallardo. The aforementioned media outlet points out that a group of footballers approached manager Enzo Francescoli to ask for the return of the Doll. Many have managed to be under the wing of the former midfielder and believe that his return could be fruitful for the institution. In his first period, he managed 424 games, winning 228, drawing 111 and losing 85. That in seven and a half years. He added 14 titles, including two Copa Libertadores, in 2015 and 2018.

In Argentina, the role played by Jorge Brito, the president of River Plate, is also highlighted. In addition, in Clarín they detail the DT’s entourage who recognize that the return is underway. His coaching staff would be made up of Matías Biscay, Hernán Buján, Professor Pablo Dolce, Mariano Barnao, his historical collaborators. They could be joined by Marcelo Barovero as goalkeeper coach, who retired from professional football a few weeks ago. The D-day of the negotiations would take place this Tuesday, when Gallardo arrives in Buenos Aires from Mendoza. In the latter city, he was visiting his son Nahuel, who is part of the Independiente Rivadavia team. The most optimistic at the millionaires’ table hope to advance quickly and for El Muñeco to lead next Sunday against Unión de Santa Fe.

Among the players who are betting on the return of the Merlo-born player are Pablo Solari and Paulo Diaz. The transandean forward who is passing through Colo Colo was taken by Gallardo to the institution. “Beyond his rapid assimilation since arriving at the institution and the speed with which he has taken off, I have spoken to him in recent days and we must not forget that he is a young boy. We must not lose sight of the processes that are changing, seeking to ensure that he does not lose the naturalness and joy with which he arrived,” praised the Pibe during his first weeks in Núñez.

Meanwhile, the defender has become a pillar in the final stretch of Gallardo’s first leg. The La Roja defender has never hidden how much his relationship with the strategist has grown. “I am very grateful to him for being at this great club, he made me a better player,” he said when the coach left at the end of 2022.