The review is more than eloquent: eliminated in the semifinals of the 2024 Copa Libertadores, fifth place in the 2024 Professional League, defeat in the 2025 International Super Cup, eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Apertura 2025, eliminated in the group stage of the 2025 Club World Cup, eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Copa Libertadores, eliminated in the semifinals of the 2025 Copa Argentina, eliminated in the round of 16 of the 2025 Clausura Tournament and for now out of the 2026 Libertadores…
Nobody would have imagined these results. River when the mythical Marcelo Gallardo He returned to the club last year and, as the months went by, he ended up investing more than $50 million in reinforcements. There is the Doll, in the Cilindro conference room, after the very tough elimination from the Clausura suffered a few minutes ago against Racing. Gallardo stands up and takes charge with a speech that is worth reviewing.
“It’s a totally negative year. We couldn’t take the year forward and this ending is not what we wanted. That clearly puts us in a very uncomfortable place. We have to take charge. I assume responsibility for this moment and this year,” the coach begins by saying. He continues: “I will take these days of reflection, of review, to change. Because this is not going to end like this. In my head I will start thinking to see how we continue from tomorrow.”
Gallardo says he is responsible, through good and bad
Gallardo remarks: “I am self-critical. I have surely failed. When things don’t work out, I am responsible. And when things work out, I am also responsible. But here I am not going to get naked. It is a bad year in my career as a coach and I accept it, but I also had other good ones.” More about the Doll: “The defense I can make of myself makes no sense. I know myself, I know who I am, how I behave and how I work with my team. And I am calm about that. We must once again generate a team that represents us.”
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The coach who had a statue made in front of the Monumental itself summarizes: “We were not able to make a leap in quality. It has been a terrible quarter. We have not been able to win the important games, as we could in another era. This year will remain as a negative year in my career as a coach. But I know that inside I still have a lot to give.”
He is shaken, but he feels firm: “I’m not going to escape this moment. If anyone expects that, they’re totally wrong. I’m going to show my face again. I’ve had several hard blows in my life and I’m standing here. On December 20, when we show up again to train, I’ll be here.”
