The Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF), chaired by Francisco Egas, must appoint a new coach for the Ecuador national team before the friendly against South Korea on Thursday, September 24, which will be played at the Suwon World Cup Stadium, known as Big Bird Stadium.
Ecuador lost its last World Cup 2026 qualification match against Mexico, with a 2‑0 score on June 30, and coach Sebastián Beccacece left the post. The FEF has not yet officially announced its successor.
Marcelo Gallardo, the name that rings most
Sports journalist César Luis Merlo posted on X on August 12 that a meeting took place between Marcelo “el Muñeco” Gallardo and Francisco Egas. Gallardo, 50, has no experience at the national team level, but he has a successful track record with River Plate, winning two Copa Libertadores (2015 and 2018), a Copa Sudamericana (2014), and three Recopas Sudamericanas (2015, 2016, and 2019). In July, Egas ruled out negotiations with Gallardo, as the Argentine preferred staying in Argentina for family reasons.
Luis Zubeldía, the option with Ecuadorian football experience
Luis Zubeldía, 45, is another candidate that has emerged on social media. He recently left Fluminense and has experience in Ecuadorian football: he managed Barcelona SC from 2011 to 2012, won the Liga Ecuabet and the 2023 Copa Sudamericana with Liga de Quito, and also worked there in 2014 and 2015.
Roberto Martínez, the European card
Spanish coach Roberto Martínez, 53, has worked with national teams: he led Belgium to third place at the 2018 World Cup and managed Portugal, with which he won the UEFA Nations League 2025 and reached the 2026 World Cup round of 16. At club level, he won the FA Cup with Wigan Athletic in 2013. Journalist Reinaldo Romero mentioned Martínez as one of the possibilities the FEF is considering.
Current situation
According to Transfermarkt, the three coaches mentioned have no current team. The FEF has stated that the selection process must begin responsibly and swiftly, and that the FIFA dates at the end of September and November will be key to defining the profile of the new coach.
The official announcement has not yet been made, and the search continues.
