Dozens of River Plate fans approached the Monumental stadium this Thursday to show their support and thanks to coach Marcelo Gallardo, who announced his retirement from the club once his contract expires at the end of this year.
River fans went to the Antonio Vespucio Liberti stadium to meet Gallardo while they chanted “thank you Muñeco”, “They were the best years” and they showed him flags with the Millionaire’s colors along with congratulatory phrases.
Gallardo took his time to thank his followers, take photos and sign autographs, while heading to the River Camp in Ezeiza, where he concentrated the squad that is preparing to face Rosario Central next Sunday in the penultimate round of the Argentine League.
“I informed the leaders that it is my contract end. I will not continue in the club. It is a very difficult decision, beyond sadnessI have an internal peace that makes me feel good about myself for the road I have traveled,” he said. Gallant during the press conference.
Gallardo was the most successful technical director that River had, with 14 titles in eight and a half years, and got the fans used to constant Olympic laps.
“The word that I want to highlight is pride, because we have experienced many beautiful things and others not so much, but that make up the essence of a group of people who feel, go forward and never give up,” he said on the verge of tears.
‘El Muñeco’ will direct his last “home” game when he hosts Rosario Central over the weekend and from whom an emotional farewell is expected.
For their part, some fans decided to move to Ezeiza -about 30 kilometers from the Argentine capital- where they continued to hold a vigil to see their idol up close and thank him for all the joys.
‘El Muñeco’ debuted as a coach in 2011 at Nacional, where he had retired as a player a year earlier, and became champion of the Uruguayan League in 2012, in 2014 he arrived at River Plate and became the winningest coach in the club’s history.
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