Who will step in for Damian Ayude at San Lorenzo? | OneFootball

The management is handling a long list of names just a couple of hours after notifying Damián Ayude of his dismissal.

Although Damián Ayude was only notified this morning, when he showed up to lead practice, about his dismissal as coach of San Lorenzo, the fact that a long list of candidates to replace him has already been made public confirms that the management’s decision had already been made as soon as the 5-2 defeat against Defensa y Justicia at the Gasómetro was finalized.

According to BOLAVIP, the coaches who generate the most consensus among the management, in order of preference, are Hernán Crespo, recently dismissed from Sao Paulo; Ariel Holan, who led Rosario Central throughout 2025; Néstor Gorosito, former Alianza Lima and a familiar face who is always an option; and Cristian Killy González, whose last experience at Platense was unsuccessful.

On the other hand, according to ESPN journalist Leandro Alves, other names that could be considered if none of the previous options materialize include the Spaniard Iker Muniain, who retired at San Lorenzo and is taking his first steps as a coach at CD Derio, which plays in Spain’s Tercera Federación; and Martín Palermo, whose last stint was with Fortaleza in Brazil.

Of all the candidates, despite being one of the favorites, management believes that the most difficult negotiation could be with Hernán Crespo, as he is expected to have high financial demands. Nevertheless, they are willing to make contact.

Ayude’s first words after being dismissed

After saying goodbye to the squad in tears, the outgoing coach drove out of the Ciudad Deportiva gate in his car and stopped briefly in front of the journalists who were waiting for him to express his first words since his dismissal, visibly moved by the situation.

“I leave at peace. Grateful to the people of our club,” he said. When asked if the decision had surprised him, Ayude chose to keep those first feelings to himself: “I don’t have… I’m so sorry. I know you’re working and have been here for a while. Thank you for the affection, for the respect, but I’d rather go see my sisters and my mom,” he managed to say, his voice breaking.

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