Newell’s Old Boys confirmed yesterday via their website that Gustavo Raggio would be leading the side in the forthcoming Torneo Transición, replacing Ricardo Lunari. Newell’s appointing from within the club is not a surprise but given that they were talking to a number of other targets just last week and Raggio had not even figured on any of their lists, this has come a little out of the blue.

Raggio was a member of the side that won the Clausura in 1992 and since his retirement as a player in 2007 has been working in the youth system at Newell’s.

When in charge of the youth side, Raggio led them to Copa Campeonato glory in 2012 but obviously a step up to managing the first team is a huge leap of faith by the board of directors.

Raggio was obviously hugely grateful for this opportunity in his statement yesterday but appeared unfazed. “I take great pride and responsibility, and I am fully convinced that we are prepared to be in charge of the team.”

Newell’s obviously appointed Alfredo Berti from within following the departure of Tata Martino and although that did not work out as well as Newell’s would have liked, there is an obvious thought that these promotions maintain a certain balance and ensure there is no departure from a style of play accustomed to Newell’s.

A point that was stressed by Raggio, “I’m not going to deviate from the philosophy of Newell’s.”

However, given that Raggio had not figured at all in any of the earlier discussions this has come as a surprise. Last week, Newell’s were talking to Sergio Markarián, the highly experienced, former Peru Coach but failed to agree a suitable financial package.

Before that former Vélez Sarsfield Head Coach, Ricardo Gareca had been mentioned and after a host of other possibilities, it was even suspected that Ricardo Lunari would continue after his care-taker role in the aftermath of Berti’s resignation.

Either way we now know it will be Gustavo Raggio overseeing Newell’s when the Torneo Transición kicks off after the World Cup.