Marcelo Gallardo is very close to becoming the new coach of the Ecuadorian national team After several months without activity since leaving River Plate, El Muñeco has become the chosen one by the Ecuadorian Football Federation to take charge of La Tricolor in the upcoming cycle aimed at the 2030 World Cup
The decision comes after the departure of Sebastián Beccacece Although initially the president of the entity, Francisco Egas, had publicly ruled out the 50-year-old coach as a candidate, the versions changed. A face-to-face meeting between the two has already taken place, and the conversations are progressing smoothly
The parties are working in parallel on the sports project, economic terms, and logistical details of the contract. The goal is to finalize the agreement as soon as possible so that Gallardo can take charge of the team without further delays
If the signing is finalized, it would be Gallardo's first experience at the helm of a national team. Until now, his coaching career has developed exclusively in clubs
The journey of El Muñeco to reach this moment
Gallardo debuted as a coach at Nacional de Uruguay in 2011 In June 2014, he took over at River Plate and built the most successful cycle in the club's history. In more than eight years, he won 14 titles, including two Copa Libertadores, and had memorable eliminations against Boca
After leaving El Millonario, he had a brief stint in Saudi Arabian football at the helm of Al-Ittihad He returned to River in August 2024, but the second cycle did not meet expectations: he did not lift any trophies and said goodbye in February after a 3-1 victory against Banfield at the Monumental. Eduardo Coudet took his place
Ecuador is once again betting on an Argentine coach ahead of the 2030 World Cup. Beccacece led La Tricolor in the last World Cup, where he achieved a historic victory against Germany in the group stage but fell to Mexico in the round of 16. Previously, Gustavo Alfaro had been in charge of the team in Qatar 2022, without advancing past the first round
Although an immediate announcement is not expected, Gallardo is one step away from returning to coaching after six months of inactivity. The main objectives of the cycle will be the 2028 Copa América and qualification for the 2030 World Cup
Possible debut in the next FIFA date
If negotiations progress as planned, El Muñeco could debut on the Ecuadorian bench during the September FIFA date In that window, the national team will face South Korea and Japan in friendly matches that will serve as a first evaluation
The arrival of Gallardo would generate expectations both in Ecuador and in Argentine football His style of play, tactical demands, and ability to build competitive teams in the medium term are the points that the Ecuadorian Federation values the most
For now, everything indicates that the agreement is on track. Only the final details remain to be defined so that the coach who marked an era at River Plate can start a new chapter, this time wearing the Tricolor jersey
