It's official: Eduardo Coudet is River's new coach

The novel came to an end: River will begin a new phase with Eduardo Coudet as coach.

The club's president, Stefano Di Carlo, confirmed that the official announcement will be made this Wednesday at noon and detailed how the arrival of “Chacho” took shape after the resignation of Marcelo Gallardo.

“Yes, it's confirmed and tomorrow we'll be making the announcement officially. If everything goes well, operational details, it will be around noon,” said the leader on ESPN's F90 program. The contract will be for two seasons, due in December 2027

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Di Carlo explained that the choice came after an internal evaluation with Enzo Francescoli, who participated in the analysis of the profile. “The first guideline was that it should be someone from the house, because River was complex with someone other than the house. Then, let him have experience and Chacho has the added bonus of being champion in Argentina,” he said

.

He added: “Enzo recommended the name and I immediately joined because he is methodical, hardworking and obsessive. We needed someone with that focus and that physical imprint on their team

.”

“We went straight to look for Coudet, without any kind of stopover. Yes, all the names were reviewed, with the restriction that they were from the house, and we analyzed all the scenarios. We didn't make contact with anyone other than Coudet because we are determined with this new phase and the contract due in December 2027

,” he said.

The departure of the Muñeco

El leader also referred to the end of Gallardo's cycle, which came after a series of adverse results and after the tie against Independente Rivadavia with Marcelo Escudero's interim. “Marcelo couldn't find his way around. We did all the steps and issues to prepare for this year but it couldn't be done. These are soccer things,” he said

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Along these lines, he stressed that the club accompanied the process with reinforcements and planning. “The pass market was what the proposal indicated to have that jump, that plus. The preseason, the starts. We did everything to face this year and things didn't work out,” he said

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However, he made it clear that the decision was made by the coach himself: "It was his decision, who didn't find a way around the question and took that stance of not

continuing.”

Di Carlo revealed how the final conversation went: “He calls me and tells me the question to see us in Ezeiza. Then the farewell video was made. He calls me and reports it to me together with Enzo, to then talk it over and tell the players. He told me it was a decision made. Beyond the fact that it's sad and it wasn't what we wanted, it happened in a very healthy way.”

Although he sought to reverse his decision, it was all done. “Yes, I tried. But Marcelo is a person who thinks a lot and is categorical. There was no room, but both Enzo and I tried to go that way. We respect and support their decision

.”

Despite the closing of the cycle, the president was forceful in his recognition: "Nothing will erase the fact that Marcelo is the most relevant guy in the history of River. He's the most important man the club ever had.”

Looking to the future

On the other hand, Di Stéfano asked for support for the squad in this new phase: “I understand the River fan, it's a complex situation, to which we are not used to. But that's not why we can turn player disapproval into something chronic. I ask you for that understanding. Beyond the nuances and considerations, it is the players who are going to get us ahead. They are River.”

"You have to get out of negativity. These players represent us. We believe in them. Just listen to Marcelo's last conference, where he emphasizes the union that existed between players, coaching staff and managers. Nothing relevant happens that breaks or fractures the human group,” he added

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“I understand the River fan, it's a situation that frustrates us. I'm a fan and I understand that. Most of the leaders were hostile when we were fans. Now the chip needs to be changed. The best moments were with everyone coming together,” he closed

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