Gallardo’s successor: Chacho and Crespo lead, Díaz in the mix | OneFootball

Coudet and Crespo are the immediate names being considered for succession following Muñeco's resignation. There are more names, but they are further behind in the race.

Marcelo Gallardo decided to end his forgettable second stint as coach, and River must think about an immediate succession. Who might be chosen by the management led by Stéfano Di Carlo? Although Muñeco's resignation is still very fresh, this is the current situation.

One possibility is to go for Eduardo Coudet, currently with Alavés in Spain, but his agent, Christian Bragarnik, has already had conversations with River's management. Although he didn't start his football career in Núñez, 'Chacho' is very identified as a player and promotes a very offensive style. He left a good impression with his management at Rosario Central - without a title - and the Racing champion of 2019. A strong candidate.

Another in the same vein is Hernán Crespo, currently working in São Paulo. Being a homegrown man positions him among the top of the list, not so much for his current status but for what he achieved, especially with that great Defensa y Justicia that won the 2020 Sudamericana.

There are more names made in River that, at first glance, with the vacancy just available, are less strong contenders. One of them is Santiago Solari, director of football at Real Madrid, with brief stints as a coach at the White House and América, now focused on management off the field. What complicates his case is that Indiecito does not want to leave the Spanish capital.

Two others are Pablo Aimar and Diego Placente, although it seems unfeasible for them to leave in the middle of a successful process for the Argentine national teams, especially with the World Cup less than four months away. Additionally, neither has experience as the head of a professional team.

If looking outside of River's DNA, Ariel Holan and Gabriel Milito are available. They seem like a risky bet due to the pressure they might face in the absence of immediate results. For such a case, one would have to look back at Ángel Cappa's forgettable stint in 2010.

The former Central player was part of Matías Almeyda's coaching staff for the return to the First Division and reached the peak with his Independiente model in 2017. Meanwhile, the Rojo idol had good phases at Argentinos Juniors and Atlético Mineiro, and he was always a thorn in the side during the Gallardo Era.

And Ramón Díaz? Although he is another available option, it seems unlikely that the management would open the doors to the Riojan idol, with his son Emiliano as his right-hand man, for a fourth stint. But in the swirl of names, he is a figure that will undoubtedly resonate among fans due to his own weight.

The little that can be assured is that River's packed schedule and urgency for results will ensure that the decision is not delayed too long, beyond Marcelo 'Pichi' Escudero - the Reserve team coach - taking charge of the team temporarily for the hours following the match against Banfield.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.