River Plate's members will vote this Saturday for the new board of directors that will manage the club for the 2025-2029 period, amidst a turbulent present for coach and idol Marcelo Gallardo.
Following his unquestionable first cycle at River between 2014 and 2022, which made him the club's absolute idol, the coach returned to lead the first team last August, but couldn't replicate even a fraction of the glory that was his first stage. With two heavy eliminations in the last two Copa Libertadores, two local tournaments he did not compete in, players who underperformed and arrived at exorbitant prices, and a level of play far from what a Gallardo-led team is capable of, the coach's future at River is far from secure, especially after the penalty shootout loss to Independiente Rivadavia of Mendoza last Friday in the Copa Argentina semi-final.
In recent matches, fans have started to show their anger at the situation, and in this context, members will vote for a new board this Saturday, with five candidates presenting themselves, all with an opinion on Gallardo.
Stefano Di Carlo, who will head the official 'Filosofía River' list, opined that 'we are going through a bad moment that we don't like and are not used to. I have spoken with two coaches.'
Other candidates also shared their views on the main coach. Carlos Trillo of the 'River Somos Todos' list stated: 'If he agrees, my priority is to keep him as coach. If that is not the case, I would like Pablo. River needs to have a specialized Technical Secretariat, because everyone thinks they know about football and that is not the case.'
'Marcelo Gallardo is an idol at River and I am not going to say any word that affects an idol. We are going to work on that and make the evaluations at the end of the competition. Gallardo is an employee. He is the maximum responsible for the current sporting situation.'
Pablo Lunati, a candidate and former referee representing the 'Ficha Limpia' list, assured that 'I don't give the keys to the club to anyone. He is a living and active legend. Regarding Gallardo, this one opined that 'the current football policy of the club has fulfilled a cycle.'
Historical River politician Daniel Kiper will participate in these elections with the 'River campeón deportivo y social' list. He added: 'If he doesn't stay, since 2021 I have been mentioning a coach that I like, and that is Pablo Aimar. We are going to expel the merchants, the businessmen, from the temple of football.'
Luis Belli of the 'River Primero' list declared: 'Gallardo is my candidate. For a year and a half things have not been working out for him. He is not just any coach, he deserves special treatment. The real challenge is to support him when things are not going as well as one would like.'
The current club secretary general also stated that Gallardo 'must act, as D'Onofrio said, as CEO and manager of football. We are not going to buy what a businessman says, but what is healthiest for the club.'
'My plan A, B, and C is to keep the Muñeco, reviewing management and contractual conditions. To Gallardo, we have to give him tools, structure, and content in a sophisticated sports direction that allows him to focus better. Nobody takes him off my radar, but at River you always have to go for more. In every transfer market I tell him: 'this is the money we have.' He has the credentials, a differential of intelligence, and the ability to impose his ideas. You have to listen to those who know the most, and listening to them means making fewer mistakes. The current management delegates. It is fundamental to have a Technical Secretariat.'
