Edgardo Bauza is in pole position to take the San Lorenzo job

Torneo Inicial champions, San Lorenzo have reportedly moved quickly to replace out-going manager, Juan Antonio Pizzi with Argentine veteran, Edgardo Bauza. A dramatic week for El Ciclon saw them capture the Torneo Inicial title before being stunned by the resignation of Pizzi, who took the opportunity to return to Spain and take over at Valencia. In an effort not to lose ground ahead of a big season with Copa Libertadores commitments, newly re-elected, President, Matias Lammens has opened talks with Edgardo Bauza.

It is understood that a one-year contract will be signed as San Lorenzo want a quick resolution to the managerial situation and Bauza is said to be keen on a return to Argentine football.

Bauza’s playing career was spent mostly with Rosario Central, winning two Primera Division titles and he remains one of the highest scoring defenders in Argentine history with 80 goals in his 310 appearances.

He was also part of the Argentina squad who were runners up in the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

In 1998, Bauza began his managerial career with his beloved Rosario Central but it wasn’t until moving to Peru to manage Sporting Cristal that he proved himself as a coach. Cristal won the Primera Division in his first season in charge and it prompted a move to Liga de Quito in Ecuador.

It was during his time with Quito that Bauza proved himself an astute tactician and won plaudits from around the world.

A 2008 Copa Libertadores title made Quito the first Ecuadorian champions and led to Uruguayan newspaper, El Pais voting Bausa the 2008 South American Coach of the Year.

This success in the Copa Libertadores is surely a factor in the decision of Lammens and Tinelli in seeking a successor for Pizzi. With no clear Plan B, El Ciclon will hope that this deal is concluded soon and preparations for next season can begin.

Keeping together their talented, young squad will also be important and will provide Bauza a great platform to bring further success to El Nuevo Gasometro.