Pablo Longoria on all fronts at River Plate amid remit questions | OneFootball

Pablo Longoria has hit the ground running at River Plate, though the breadth of his remit and how it meshes with existing powerbrokers is already being scrutinised.

Installed on 29 April as sporting director, he travelled the next day to Brazil for a Copa Sudamericana tie against Bragantino, then was soon spotted at River Camp assessing youth teams. Journalist Andres Burgo believes he could operate as a coordinator in the mould of Marcelo Gallardo’s former catch-all role.

Last Thursday he flew with the delegation to Venezuela for the group-stage meeting with Carabobo, an electric contest that ended in a 2-1 win. From the outset, the former OM president has immersed himself in South American football, with expectations high among fans and the hierarchy after Gallardo’s exit.

Supporters envisage a data‑savvy operator and sharp recruiter with the network to lure talent back from Europe. There is also an expectation that he will help strengthen the squad and streamline it.

On paper, his responsibilities are wide, spanning coordination of the professional team, development squads, scouting, contract management, performance analysis and broader sporting development.

Potential fault lines remain. Longoria reports to president Stefano Di Carlo and manager Enzo Francescoli, also formerly of OM, whose responsibilities appear to cross with those assigned to the Spaniard. Some close to the club are sceptical, others see a complementary trio and a chance to build a professional structure from the ground up.

Source: L'Équipe