Months after the abrupt end of his second term at River, Marcelo Gallardo reappears on the radar of a South American national team. Following the departure of Sebastián Beccacece after the 2026 World Cup, the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) began searching for a new coach, and the Muñeco became one of the main candidates.
One of the main advantages for Gallardo is that he is currently available. The 50-year-old coach left Millonario at the beginning of 2026, after a period marked by inconsistent results, and has not taken on a team since then.
Gallardo has been without a club since his departure from River at the beginning of the year
His situation also aligns with one of the criteria established by the Ecuadorian Federation: to avoid seeking a coach who is currently leading a project and would interrupt an ongoing process.
In this context, it has been reported that a first approach between Gallardo and the Ecuadorian leadership took place. The coach had an informal conversation with Francisco Egas, president of the FEF, although the contact has not yet led to formal negotiations. For now, no contractual or sporting conditions have been proposed and the Argentine remains an option within a process that is just beginning.
It is worth noting that the Muñeco had already been on Ecuador's radar before Beccacece was hired. At that time, the Argentine decided not to proceed for personal and professional reasons. Now, with the scenario different, his name has resurfaced among the FEF's priorities.
However, he is not the only candidate. The name of Luis Zubeldía, recently released from Fluminense and with a deep understanding of local football after his successful stint at Liga de Quito, where he won the Sudamericana Cup and the LigaPro in 2023, has also gained traction. Additionally, the list includes coaches such as Walid Regragui, Roberto Martínez, Robert Moreno, Thomas Christiansen, Ramón Díaz, and Guillermo Almada.
Luiz Zubeldia is another of the main candidates to take over in Ecuador
While he waits to define his future, Gallardo remains away from the sidelines. Last weekend, he was in Córdoba to support his son Matías, a defender for Gimnasia de Mendoza, in the match against Instituto. After the game, when asked about a possible experience abroad, he briefly replied: "No, no", without providing further details.
Ecuador will have to compete again in the upcoming FIFA dates in September and October, with South Korea and Japan as potential rivals. The intention of the FEF is to resolve the succession of Beccacece before that window so that the new coach has time to prepare for the start of the journey towards the 2030 World Cup.
