The management led by Diego Milito has already started the search for the new coach of the Academy. In the meantime, Sebastián Romero will be the interim coach.
After a successful third cycle that had been declining in recent months, Racing decided to part ways with Gustavo Costas as head coach of the first team. The decision made by Diego Milito had an impact both inside and outside the club, especially due to the way it was resolved. Beyond this, the Academy must look ahead and is already thinking about potential replacements.
In Avellaneda, they understand that the context requires calm, but also speed. The goal is to find a coach with experience, personality, and an offensive football idea that fits the profile Milito is looking for in this new stage.
In this sense, the main candidate at the moment is Hernán Crespo. The former coach of São Paulo and Al-Duhail has consensus within the management and is also without a club, a situation that facilitates any potential progress in negotiations. However, the economic aspect appears to be one of the central points to resolve.
Hernán Crespo would be the main candidate to replace Costas.
Despite this, the possibility gained even more strength after Crespo himself publicly acknowledged in recent days his desire to coach a big club in Argentine football.
Another name that appears well positioned is Guillermo Barros Schelotto. The Mellizo is liked for his experience and competitive profile, although he currently has a contract with Vélez until the end of the year, which complicates any immediate negotiations.
The twin Schelotto would be one of the alternatives.
Also on the list is Nicolás Diez, one of the young coaches who left the best impression in the last semester with his work at Argentinos Juniors, where he reached the semifinals of the 2026 Apertura Tournament. At Racing, they believe his release clause would be accessible and see him as a viable option.
Additionally, the management is closely monitoring the situation of Martín Demichelis, recently relegated with Mallorca to LaLiga 2, and they are also considering evaluating Luis Zubeldía, the current coach of Fluminense and a name that has generated interest in Argentine football for some time.
Nico Diez, Demichelis, and Zubeldía are also viable options.
While the Technical Secretariat analyzes alternatives, Sebastián Romero will take charge of the squad on an interim basis. The current coach of the Reserve team will lead the team in the upcoming matches against Independiente Petrolero in the Sudamericana Cup and against Defensa y Justicia in the Argentine Cup.
The numbers of Gustavo Costas in his three terms as Racing's coach
In his three stints at the helm of the Academy (1999-2000, 2007, and 2024-2026), the Buenos Aires coach managed 212 matches, with a record of 94 wins, 45 draws, and 73 losses, and a total of 306 goals scored and 248 against. In terms of titles, he won 2, both in his last term: 2024 Sudamericana Cup and 2025 Sudamericana Recopa.
