It’s over: Eduardo Coudet is no longer the coach of River. Following the elimination on penalties against Independiente Santa Fe in the round of 16 of the Sudamericana Cup, through a press conference, Stéfano Di Carlo, president of the club, was the one to announce Chacho's departure.
The head of the Millonario was the first to speak and explained that, after Wednesday's match, the coach expressed his desire to step aside and assured that the decision was supported by the institution. "We come from many issues, but the one that brings us together today following yesterday's match, Chacho has expressed his desire to step aside. We started this process with determination and enormous conviction. We have always categorically supported everything done during the time Chacho has been the club's coach", Di Carlo began.
The president also emphasized that River supported the decision as it was a personal determination from Coudet and highlighted his journey at the helm of the team. "We believe that the correct, institutional, respectful, and grateful way to make this exit is to face it in this presentation. We believe that Chacho's professionalism, ability, work discipline, and not to mention his human quality, deserved a closure here at the club, thanking on behalf of the club for this journey and this uncomfortable situation you had to manage during this time", he stated.
Finally, Di Carlo confirmed that Leonardo Ponzio will lead the team on an interim basis along with Marcelo Escudero, the current reserve coach, and concluded with a final thank you to Coudet: "Thank you from the heart, Chacho.”
Coudet's latest statements
Then it was the turn of the now former coach of the Núñez club, who reflected on his cycle. "We had a good start both on a sporting and personal level. Being able to play a final (Apertura Tournament) and being first in a Copa qualifying group (Sudamericana). This second half we haven't started well, and we have said from the beginning that there was a process with the awareness that at River it is unsustainable in terms of results", he began.
