ROME (ITALPRESS) – Argentine Marcelo Gallardo, the former River Plate coach, has been appointed head coach of the Ecuador national team. Gallardo, 50, is the most successful manager in River Plate’s history; he left the Buenos Aires club—where he had made his professional debut in 1993—last February.
Taking on his first role leading a national team, Gallardo replaces fellow Argentine Sebastián Beccacece at the helm of an Ecuadorian squad eager for change following their disappointing elimination by Mexico (0-2) in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup.
“We chose Marcelo Gallardo for his achievements, but above all for what he represents. Welcome to Ecuador, Marcelo,” said federation president Francisco Egas in a video released on social media.
The coach’s trophy cabinet includes 14 titles won with River Plate, among them two Copa Libertadores trophies and a Copa Sudamericana. The former midfielder, who played for Monaco and PSG during his career, also had a brief stint managing Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).
