Marcelo Gallardo returns to River

It has been known for some days now but yesterday afternoon, River Plate officially welcomed Marcelo Gallardo back to the Monumental. Former player, Gallardo has been chosen to replace the departed, Ramón Díaz and must now try to maintain the standard set by Díaz following the Torneo Final triumph.

As a player during his three spells with River Plate, Gallardo won 6 league titles and was part of the Copa Libertadores winning side in 1996 and so his appointment is a homecoming for a club legend. A point that does not go unnoticed by Gallardo who described his sense of belonging at River and “the dream” of returning.

Importantly, Gallardo also spoke about his commitment to attacking football which would be expected by River, particularly in the Monumental.

A young attacking manager who has brought his own staff, including a Sports medicine specialist tasked with strengthening the mentality of the players, is a progressive move by River. In a division where all too often clubs turn to old, seasoned veterans it is refreshing to see a club the size of River to appoint a manager as inexperienced as Gallardo.

Gallardo’s only previous experience was directly after his retirement at Club Nacional de Football of Montevideo and in his opening and only season in charge, they were crowned Uruguayan Primera División champions.

Despite being a hero among the fans at River there is a certain amount of pressure on Gallardo. He takes over a side that has just won the Torneo Final but it remains to be seen whether he will have the same players available to him. Carlos Carbonero almost certainly will not be at the club but with the ever-increasing debts needing to be reduced, the likes of Éder Alvarez Balanta and Manuel Lanzini may also be moved out. A River side minus those three would be a shadow of the side that just lifted the trophy.

Gallardo will be welcoming back loan players, David Trezeguet and Rodrigo Mora and this presents another potential issue. Trezeguet is said to have a less than cordial relationship with Fernando Cavanaghi perhaps a major reason for his loan at Newell’s but the French striker is a friend of Gallardo from their playing days together at Monaco. Mediating this will be a task for Gallardo so early in his career.