Marcelo Gallardo will stop being River Plate coach 1:11
(Reuters) .--
River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo announced Thursday that he will not continue in office in 2023, once his current contract ends in December, after eight and a half years leading the most successful cycle of the history of the club with 14 titles.
"I am going to be brief, I have come to make an announcement, I am in the presence of the president, Jorge (Brito), Matías (Patanian) and Enzo (Francescoli), to whom I informed them last night that it is my contract ending, it ends in December and I will not continue at the club," Gallardo said at a press conference called urgently.
"It's one of the most difficult and heartfelt decisions. I knew it was going to be a delicate moment. I'll pause briefly, and I'm here beyond the announcement to thank the people who trusted me," added the coach along with the directors of the club, in the conference room of the Monumental stadium.
The "Muñeco" won 14 titles in the popular Argentine club, including seven international competitions, six national cups and a local league since he took office in mid-2014.
River Plate is already working on its new monumental house 0:55
The triumphs over their classic rival Boca Juniors in the 2014 Copa Sudamericana and in the 2015, 2018 and 2019 Libertadores left a mark on Argentine football and on the history of the rivalry between the most popular clubs.
"It has been a beautiful story," said the DT with emotion, on the verge of tears.
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"Pride is the word that I want to highlight, because we have experienced many things over the years, beautiful and others not so much (...) Everything has an end and I think it is time to close a very valuable cycle."
Gallardo also indicated that he will continue until the end of his contract and that on Sunday against Rosario Central he will have his last home game in front of his fans, for the penultimate date of the Professional League.
"Lastly, I would like to thank the fan, the fan that every little tribute they have paid me when entering the field of play will be an indelible memory, thanking them from the bottom of my heart for such a show of love and affection."
Marcelo GallardoRiver Plate