Ecuador announced on Sunday the hiring of Argentine coach Marcelo Gallardo, former River Plate, for the cycle targeting the 2030 World Cup. The 50-year-old commander will replace his compatriot Sebastián Beccacece and will have his first experience as a national team coach. The confirmation was made by the president of the Ecuadorian Football Federation, Francisco Egas, through a video posted on the X platform, where he stated that they sought Gallardo for what he has achieved and what he represents.
Gallardo arrives in Ecuador at a time of transition for the national team, which was eliminated in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, against Mexico. This elimination was considered a disappointing result for a team that has been a protagonist in recent years in South America and that was seeking new horizons after this campaign below expectations.
Beyond his stints at River Plate, the Argentine also led Nacional, from Uruguay, and Al-Ittihad, from Saudi Arabia. His last job was precisely at River Plate, between 2024 and 2026, a period in which he did not achieve the same success as in his first stint at the club, which extended from 2014 until a point not specified in the article.
