Ruben Darío Insua
's cycle
is going through its worst moment since he arrived in
San Lorenzo
back in May 2022. In almost two years, the Galician knew how to become the restorer of a team that flirted with relegation and that now rubs shoulders with the greats teams from the continent in the biggest competition on this side of the Atlantic, the Copa Libertadores.
However,
his figure was eroding
in 2024 with poor results and a game that does not appear on the pitch. Wednesday's tough 2-0 loss to
Independiente del Valle
in Quito was the limit for the leaders. And at this time they proposed a meeting with the coach to make a decision. Is the Insua era ending?
"We are analyzing the situation and the steps to follow
," a managerial voice told
Clarín
that was part of a conclave between managers that took place a while after the fall against the Ecuadorians was completed. The truth is that in that small table talk a
consensus
was reached about the coach's situation. Everyone understands that if there is a time to take a turn, it is now, because there are still possibilities of qualifying for the round of 16.
What they saw at the Banco Guayaquil Stadium at 2,500 meters above sea level was what worried them the most. It wasn't about the negative result itself; but of
a team without emotional and football responses
, very far from that intense and brave San Lorenzo that was the hallmark of the beginning of this second cycle of the Galician in the Barça institution.
Inside there is talk of wear and tear, but Insua has the idea of respecting his contract, something he has said on more than one occasion when asked about the rumors of his continuity that have spread in recent weeks. The coach even went so far as to denounce friendly fire from the club to destabilize it, although excluding the president
Marcelo Moretti
and
Néstor Ortigoza
, who is the one with whom he has the most dialogue on a day-to-day basis.
Ortigoza is a member and is the director in charge of San Lorenzo football. He is one of those who most defends Insua, but he would not take a position against a collective decision at the leadership level and will accompany what is resolved.
If indeed the leadership that
signed a contract with Gallego in January for two more years
now thinks about interrupting it due to the lack of football direction, they will have to resolve other issues. One is the economic factor. To release Insua they will have to reach an agreement for compensation.
In the meeting that would take place this Thursday afternoon this item could be discussed, but the managers will have to see what the DT's position is, who is convinced of reversing the situation despite the negative numbers.
In 2024, San Lorenzo played a total of 16 games, of which they achieved four wins, seven draws and five losses (39 percent effectiveness). They added one point out of six in the Libertadores, were eliminated from the League Cup one date before the end of the first phase and could not win in any classic they played (they lost with
Racing
and with
Boca
and tied with
Huracán
).
No one dares to anticipate what may happen in the next few hours, which would be decisive. Either Insua comes out stronger with the full support of the directors or he counts his last hours in office. One fact: in the corridors of Boedo, the name of a much-liked candidate is already ringing:
Luis Zubeldía
.