Vasco target Gallardo to take sabbatical after River Plate exit | OneFootball

The dream of Vasco fans to see Marcelo Gallardo as head coach in 2026 has suffered a major setback behind the scenes. Although the Argentine’s name is one of the few unanimous choices among the board led by Pedrinho, the coach’s personal situation suggests that an immediate agreement is unlikely. The coach ends his tenure at River Plate this Thursday (26), but is not expected to enter into talks with any team in the short term.

According to investigations by ge and detailed information from the Placar channel, those close to Marcelo Gallardo assure that he will prioritize a period of complete rest. The main reason for his break from football is the period of mourning and emotional exhaustion the professional is experiencing. In a short span of time, the coach lost his father as well as the agent who had been with him since the beginning of his playing career.

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Emotional factor and end of an era at River

The Vasco leadership was monitoring the coach’s situation, understanding that the end of his cycle at River Plate could open up a market opportunity. However, the “Muñeco” has indicated to those close to him that he needs time to process his personal losses and recover mentally after years of high demands in Argentine football. His emotional fragility at this moment is seen as an insurmountable obstacle to any proposal, regardless of the amounts involved.

Vasco was seeking in Gallardo the profile of an international tournament winner to take Vasco SAF to the next level. With his implicit refusal due to his sabbatical, the club is expected to focus its efforts elsewhere. The board was already aware that the operation would be complex, but confirmation that the coach is not interested in taking on a new project now changes the direction of planning at São Januário.

Gallardo is going through a difficult personal time – Photo: CONMEBOL.com / AFP

Looking for heavyweight alternatives

With Marcelo Gallardo no longer a viable option, the board’s focus turns even more intensely to other names. The idea of bringing in a “top-tier” coach remains alive, but the market offers few options with the same résumé and availability the Argentine would have had in other circumstances.

Meanwhile, interim coach Bruno Lazaroni will lead the team this Thursday against Santos. The board hopes to speed up negotiations with the next target to avoid a leadership vacuum that could harm performance in the Brazilian Championship. Renato Gaúcho remains the alternative that is closest to logistical and financial reality, should the foreign pursuits not materialize in the coming days.

Renato Gaúcho remains an option – Photo: André Durão

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