Vélez achieved a resounding 4-0 victory over Martín Palermo's Olimpia, in a match played in Asunción corresponding to the second date of Group H of the Copa Libertadores. After this tough setback, the Titan stepped down from leading the Paraguayan team.
Veléz vapuleó a Olimpia y lo dejó sin DT
"I didn't expect this moment, three months after becoming champion. Unfortunately, the results aren't accompanying", commented Palermo in a post-match press conference and moments before confirming his departure from the Paraguayan team.
This defeat against the team led by Guillermo Barros Schelotto was the second consecutive in the continental tournament (the first had been against San Antonio Bulo Bulo from Bolivia), leaving the Dean at the bottom of the table without points. As for the local tournament, the outlook wasn't encouraging either. Although currently Olimpia is third with 18 points, it is at a considerable distance from the leader, Libertad, which is twelve points ahead.
Olimpia está complicado en el plano local e internacional
In this context, the discomfort of the fans began to grow and the management decided to end the cycle of the former Boca scorer. Martín Palermo's tenure at the Dean is summarized in 58 matches, with a record of 27 wins, 17 draws, and 14 losses.
A former River player could take the position
Although Martín Palermo's departure is recent, some possible replacements have already begun to circulate. One of the names that is strongly mentioned is Andrés San Martín, remembered for his time as a central midfielder at River between 2005 and 2006.
San Martín es uno de los principales candidatos para asumir en Olimpia
Born in Lomas de Zamora, San Martín has worked as Daniel Garnero's assistant since 2011, with experience in various clubs in Argentina and Paraguay, as well as in the Paraguayan National Team. A fact to consider is that he knows Olimpia very well, as he was part of Garnero's coaching staff at the club between 2018 and 2020.
Despite the rumors, according to journalist Alvaro Aponte, San Martín wouldn't be the main candidate to take over at Olimpia. Additionally, he reported that, until a replacement is found, the Dean's training sessions will be led by Aurelio Torres and Beto Monzón.
Olimpia's upcoming commitments
With the local championship practically out of reach due to the lead taken by Libertad, Olimpia's main objective now is to improve its performance in the Copa Libertadores. There are still four dates to be played and both Peñarol and San Antonio Bulo Bulo are only three points away, although the goal difference (-5) represents a significant obstacle.
On April 23, they will host the Uruguayan team, on May 6 they will visit Vélez in Liniers, on the 14th they will face Peñarol again in Uruguay, and they will close their participation in the group on May 29 as locals against San Antonio Bulo Bulo at the Defensores del Chaco.
