- Title: River Plate's most decorated coach, Marcelo Gallardo, steps down
- Date: 24th February 2026
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY 24, 2026) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** ACTOR DAVID HARBOUR POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS ACTOR LINDA CARDELLINI ACTOR JASON BATEMAN BEING INTERVIEWED (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTOR, JASON BATEMAN, SAYING: "Well, you know, these characters are kind of trying to figure out what version of adulthood they want to be
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Argentina Marcelo Gallardo River Plate Sports coach soccer
- Location: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
- City: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: South America / Central America,Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA003821424022026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: SUBTITLES ADDED AT SOURCE IN SHOT #8
Marcelo Gallardo announced on Monday (February 23) that he will step down as head coach of Argentina's River Plate football club after a string of defeats in his second spell in charge, following a first, glorious period that earned him idol status among fans.
"This is a message for all River fans. I will try to be brief so that I am not overwhelmed by the emotion and pain of announcing that Thursday will be my last game," said Gallardo, known as "Muneco," in a video posted on the club's social media accounts. The club is popularly called El Millonario.
"I only have words of gratitude, mainly to this great club and its people for their unconditional love over all these years," added the coach, who said he was overcome with pain at not having been able to meet his objectives.
Gallardo's final match in charge will be Thursday (February 26) against Banfield.
Unlike his first stint at the helm—when he won seven international titles and seven domestic championships—Gallardo was unable to repeat that feat in his second spell, failing to find the team's best form. The run of poor results made the situation untenable both for him and for the club's leadership.
(Production: Miguel Lo Bianco, Juan Bustamante, Liamar Ramos) - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None