Marcelo Gallardo has emerged as a strong candidate to take over as head coach of the Ecuador national football team. The side has been without a manager for almost two months since Sebastián Beccacece's departure and faces a crucial Asian tour in September, as reported by El Universo Deportes this week.
La Tri currently sits third in their World Cup qualifying group, with 4 points from 3 games (1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss). Their last result was a 2-0 defeat to Mexico on July 1, and their recent form shows 1 win, 2 draws, and 2 losses in the last five matches. The next fixture is a friendly against South Korea on September 24, which kicks off a tour that also includes Japan and either Panama or New Zealand. You can check the full schedule on our fixtures page.
What career does Marcelo Gallardo bring?
Marcelo Gallardo, 50, arrives with an impressive managerial resume. His coaching career is highlighted by 15 titles, 14 of them won at the helm of River Plate and one with Nacional de Uruguay. Among his most notable achievements are two Copa Libertadores, one Copa Sudamericana, and three Recopa Sudamericanas. As a player, he also wore the River Plate shirt, winning eight trophies with the club. This experience at the top of South American football is one of his main credentials.
What do former Ecuadorian players think?
Several authoritative voices in Ecuadorian football have weighed in on Gallardo's potential arrival. Ricardo Armendáriz, former president of the Ecuadorian Footballers' Association (AFE), called him "a good option, a top-level coach who knows the idiosyncrasy of the South American footballer and knows how to treat players." Armendáriz added that Gallardo would bring a strong work team including people familiar with the local context.
Others, like Ulises de la Cruz, have raised doubts. "There is a big change in being a club coach versus a national team coach who has already participated with experience in tournaments like the Copa América," the former defender noted, questioning the necessary adaptation. Juan Carlos Burbano, another former international, emphasized the need for the coach to adapt to the national team format, where time to build relationships with players is limited.
What are the challenges for Ecuador's project?
Beyond the coach's name, there is consensus on the need for a clear, long-term project. Carlos Tenorio, current president of the AFE, stated that Gallardo's experience must serve a defined project aiming for prominence in the Copa América and World Cup competition. Tenorio insisted that the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) must establish a planning framework that benefits the country's football as a whole, not just the federation or the Liga Pro.
Burbano suggested that an Ecuadorian coach should be part of the technical staff to strengthen ties with the players. He also stressed the importance of the head coach closely following all Ecuadorian football, not just the most high-profile players. De la Cruz, for his part, questioned whether Gallardo would arrive as a free agent or under contract, a detail that would affect his margin within the project.
How does the national team arrive at this moment?
Ecuador's current sporting context shows a tight balance: 2 goals scored and 2 conceded in the World Cup qualifying phase, resulting in a zero goal difference. The team has lost its last two matches and seeks stability ahead of the September friendlies. The Asian tour will be a major test for whoever is in charge, with matches against high-level opponents like Japan and South Korea. Fans can follow the team's progress in our stats section.
The arrival of a coach of Marcelo Gallardo's stature would generate high expectations but would also require a support structure and a clear vision from the federation. The process of selecting the new manager must ensure continuity in the work with the current generation of players. The first test will be the match against South Korea on September 24, in Seoul.
