River coach Gallardo vows to stay on job through 2021
BUENOS AIRES: River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo has quashed speculation he may head to Europe next year by pledging to remain at the newly-crowned Copa Libertadores winners at least until 2021.
After leading his side to their second Libertadores triumph in four seasons on Sunday, Gallardo said he was happy in Buenos Aires and had no plans to leave the Argentine club.
“We have a contract until 2021,” Gallardo said after River’s 3-1 win over arch-rivals Boca Juniors in Madrid that gave them a 5-3 aggregate victory.
The final, played in Spain because of violence caused by River fans in Buenos Aires, was one of the most unforgettable moments in the club’s history and Gallardo said his solid relationship with the club where he also spent many years as a player was another reason to stay put.
“That to me is priceless,” he said. “I wake up every morning and I enjoy going to work.”
“This win was one of the happiest moments because of all it represented and because of what it means to the fans. It’s something that can never be erased.”
River now head to the United Arab Emirates to take part in the Club World Cup, which kicks off today.
Gallardo, a cultured midfielder who played part of his career at Monaco and Paris St-Germain, is well aware that Argentine talent inevitably heads to Europe and he will also be aware that his compatriots are currently in vogue as coaches.
Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs, Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds, Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid and Santiago Solari at Real Madrid are among the Argentines making a name for themselves far from home.
“There are three words that define him: quality, determination and effort,” said his assistant Matias Biscay.
“He has so much determination to improve and to get others to improve. He demands a lot of himself and of others, he tries to get the best out of every player.”
Gallardo was christened “El Muneco” (The Doll) by the older players at River Plate when he joined the club as a 16-year old but the nickname does not reflect his underlying mental strength and willingness to win.
Gallardo watched Sunday’s final from the stands as he served a touchline ban imposed after the semi-final against holders Gremio.