There are still some weeks to go in the 2015 Torneo but Buenos Aires heavyweights, San Lorenzo and Racing Club are already preparing for a 2016 under new management. This afternoon both clubs held press conferences and Edgardo Bauza and Diego Cocca confirmed, what had been suspected for a while, that they would be stepping down from their positions when their contracts expire at the end of the season. The decisions of both coaches will be a blow to the clubs, as Bauza guided San Lorenzo to their first ever Copa Libertadores title in 2014 and Cocca, in his debut season, helped Racing to the Torneo Transición title, their first in thirteen years.

Rumour was already abound that Edgardo Bauza was meeting with San Lorenzo president, Matías Lammens and vice-president, Marcelo Tinelli to inform them that he would not be staying beyond this contract and so it was not a real shock when the 57-year-old sat in front of reporters this afternoon and said: “My cycle has come to an end. It is finished.“

And what a cycle it has been. Bauza took over Juan Antonio Pizzi’s 2013 Inicial championship winning side and took San Lorenzo to heights never before experienced by finally ending their long wait for a Copa Libertadores title and putting a stop to the jokes that came with being the only ‘Big Five’ without their name on the biggest trophy in South America.

The Torneo 2015 will elude San Lorenzo despite putting up a decent challenge and although Lammens and Tinelli were keen for Bauza to remain in charge for another year, El Patón said that, “the players need new words, a new speech. We believe that it is the best thing that can happen to SanLorenzo.“

Bauza maintained that he has no other offers but it leaves San Lorenzo looking for a new coach ahead of 2016 and one of the names that has linked, handed in his resignation just a couple of hours earlier in Avellaneda. Diego Cocca’s possible departure was also no secret but the 42-year-old cut an emotional figure in his press conference.

Cocca’s relatively short reign at Racing began on shaky ground after he said that he would sacrifice the clásico if it meant lifting the title. After losing to Independiente, the locals were restless but Cocca backed up his claim by guiding La Academia to a first league title since 2001. As one of the bright young coaches, in a league that so often looks to bring back familiar old faces, Cocca would be a good fit at San Lorenzo and a miss to Racing.

Cocca was adamant in his press confernce that his decision was not based on any conflict with Víctor Blanco or Diego Milito but there appears more to this than the “time to seek new challenges” line suggests. Gustavo Costas and Facundo Sava appear to be leading the way as possible replacements at the Cilindro.