The elimination of River in the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana against Independiente Santa Fe has finalized a decision that has been brewing for some time. Eduardo Coudet is no longer the coach of the Millonario, and now the management must find a replacement for a team that needs to react as soon as possible.
In Núñez, there is still no confirmed candidate. The possibility of Marcelo Escudero taking charge on an interim basis until the end of the year is gaining traction while various alternatives are being evaluated. Some names have a direct history with the club, while others bring a style of play that aligns with what is sought in the institution.
Among the options that are most frequently mentioned, Hernán Crespo stands out as one of the most appealing due to his identification with River and the path he has built as a coach. His tenure at Defensa y Justicia, where he won the Copa Sudamericana 2020, remains a significant precedent. Furthermore, he has made it clear that coaching the Millonario is his great dream.
However, the arrival of the former forward seems very complicated at this moment. He currently manages Atlas, a team he joined in July and with which he has already played eight matches: five wins and three losses. He has a two-year contract with a release clause in favor of River, but only starting in 2027. If the club wanted to bring him in now, it would have to shell out between 7 and 8 million dollars, a figure that seems unlikely.
Other names on the list of possible replacements
Pablo Aimar is also being mentioned again. The Payasito has a current link and is a key piece of the coaching staff of the Argentine National Team led by Lionel Scaloni. Although the coach has not yet confirmed his continuity, Claudio Tapia's intention is to retain him along with his assistant. Aimar knows the River world inside out and generates great sympathy among fans, but he lacks experience as a head coach in the First Division.
Gabriel Milito is back in the conversation, just as he was when Marcelo Gallardo left in his second term. The 45-year-old coach has a contract with Chivas until mid-2027, so his departure would not be straightforward. His profile, of a protagonist team with an offensive vocation, fits one of the ideas being considered in Núñez.
When asked about the possibility of coaching River, Milito was clear: “I have nothing to say. They already know me a bit.” He then added: “I have a very strong commitment to this club and I am focused solely on that.” His current relationship with the Mexican club presents itself as the main obstacle today.
Diego Cocca emerges as a different alternative because he is currently without a club. His departure from Atlas occurred in July when the new owners could not reach a contractual agreement despite initially announcing his continuity. Cocca knows Argentine football and has experience with big teams, having had two stints at Racing and several spells in Mexico.
Additionally, he debuted as a player at River, so he knows the surroundings of the Monumental. Since he is not tied to any institution, his arrival could be easier to negotiate than others, although he is not considered among the immediate priorities of the management.
The search for the new coach has just begun. River needs a name that combines identity, playing style, and real availability. For now, the list is open, and none of the options seem closed.
