The Ecuador national football team is close to appointing Marcelo Gallardo as its new head coach, as reported by El Universo Deportes. This move comes as the national side, sitting third in their World Cup qualifying group with 4 points, prepares for an Asian tour featuring a match against South Korea on September 24. La Tri heads into this fixture following a 2-0 loss to Mexico in July and a recent form of one win, two draws, and two losses in their last five outings.

What would Marcelo Gallardo bring to Ecuador?

The hiring of the Argentine strategist, known as 'Muñeco', could be finalized this week after tying up details with the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF). Gallardo, 50, arrives with an extensive trophy haul including 15 titles, most won during his successful stint at River Plate, but this would be his first experience managing a national team. Former Ecuadorian players consulted by El Universo, such as Ricardo Armendáriz and Ulises de la Cruz, acknowledge his pedigree but also raise questions about adapting from club management to international duty.

Armendáriz called him "a good option, a top-level coach" who understands the South American player's mindset. De la Cruz highlighted his work at River but pointed out the difference between coaching a club and a national team, especially in tournaments like the Copa América. The need for a manager is pressing, as Ecuador has been without a coach for nearly two months since Sebastián Beccacece's departure and has a packed schedule of friendlies. You can check the full calendar on our fixtures page.

How is Ecuador preparing for the Asian friendlies?

La Tri's Asian tour will begin precisely against South Korea, a rival also undergoing a technical renewal. According to The Korea Times, the Korea Football Association this week appointed former Spain coach Robert Moreno as temporary manager of their national team. Moreno will lead the South Korean side in their next six international matches, the first of which is the clash against Ecuador in Seoul.

This match, scheduled for September 24, will be an initial test for both teams under new technical directions. Ecuador will continue its tour by facing Japan on October 1 and will finish against either Panama or New Zealand on October 5, also in Japan. The team aims to improve its offensive output, having scored and conceded two goals in the current qualifying phase for a zero goal difference. To review the squad's detailed performance, visit our stats section.

What about Ecuador's delegation for the South American Games?

While football reorganizes, other Ecuadorian sports are preparing for the Santa Fe 2026 South American Games in Argentina. The Ecuadorian Olympic Committee (COE), led by president Jefferson Pérez, confirmed to El Universo that the delegation will feature 182 athletes across 29 disciplines, a smaller number than the 219 who participated in Asunción 2022. The country's presence at the event was in doubt until three weeks ago due to administrative issues within the COE.

Pérez lamented the injury absences of two key athletics figures: Daniel Pintado, the Olympic champion from Paris 2024, and Paula Torres, the world champion race walker. However, the delegation will be led by Olympic weightlifting champion Neisi Dajomes, who returns to international competition after serving a 14-month doping suspension. Dajomes reappeared with three gold medals at a South American championship in Guayaquil in late August.

What is the next challenge for the football team?

The immediate focus for Ecuadorian football is the September-October tour, which will serve as preparation for upcoming World Cup qualifying challenges. With a record of one win, one draw, and one loss in three matches, each friendly gains importance for fine-tuning the team's mechanics. Gallardo's arrival, if confirmed, will aim to imprint a distinctive style on a squad needing to consolidate its play.

The match against South Korea, scheduled for September 24 at 20:00 local time in Seoul, marks the restart of La Tri's activities. This fixture is the first of three matches in Asia designed to provide footballing and morale answers for the team. Performance in these games will be key for evaluating the project's direction ahead of future official commitments. Check the team's position in their group standings.