Marcelo Gallardo’s return to River Plate is official.
The Millonario announced the appointment on Monday, confirming the coach’s second stint at the helm of the club. “I’m very touched,” said the Muñeco, the doll, as he’s affectionately known, on his official presentation. “Some difficult feelings. It hasn’t been long since I’ve departed but it feels like I’ve never left.”
“Returning to the club and walking around makes me feel at home, and that’s something that makes me very happy. I’ve encountered a lot of people who joined me throughout the years and that makes me feel I am very I belong.”
Gallardo went on to say he understands there’s a lot of expectations with his return, but his first mission will be to recover a team spirit within the squad.
The 48-year-old coach returns to River to replace Martín Demichelis, the man who replaced him, after just a year and a half’s absence. In that stint, Gallardo was reported to be offered the head coach role at several top European clubs, but his only job after leaving the Monumental stadium was with Saudi professional football club Al-Ittihad.
He’s set to take over ahead of River’s clash with Huracán, in the 2024 Liga Profesional matchday 10. The Millonario sits 11th in the table, with 14 points and four wins in nine games played.
Gallardo’s last match as River boss was on October 23, 2022, a 2-1 away win against Racing in the last game of that year’s Liga Profesional. His last game at the Monumental was a 2-1 defeat against Rosario Central, the previous week.
With 14 titles, Gallardo is the most successful coach in River’s history. He has five more than Ramón Díaz, the man he took over from in 2014. He went on to manage 425 games, winning over 53% of them.
During that stint he won seven international titles, including the 2018 historic title where the Millonario beat traditional rivals Boca Juniors, as well as seven home titles.
However, he’s coming off a less successful job. Despite signing a record contract worth a reported US$20 million, he only coached 33 matches in Saudi Arabia, with 15 wins, 4 ties and 14 losses, before departing surrounded by rumors of a bad relationship with the club’s star, French striker Karim Benzema.