Eduardo ‘Chacho’ Coudet said on Wednesday at his unveiling as River Plate manager that he will seek to rescue the club from a spell short on wins and silverware.
He has signed a contract tying him to the club until December 2027.
“We need to reset and start from scratch, all together,” Coudet said at a press conference at the team’s stadium, the Monumental in Buenos Aires.
“We have to win titles,” said the Argentine. “I didn’t come here for a birthday party.”
“We’ll try to begin this period in the best possible way, to feed off one another. It’s not an easy situation – the most successful manager in the club’s history has left,” said the coach, referring to the recent departure of club legend Marcelo ‘El Muñeco’ Gallardo.
Coudet, 51, arrived in Buenos Aires in the early hours of Wednesday after sealing his exit from Spain’s Alavés. “I haven’t slept,” he joked at the press conference.
His task is far from straightforward. The former midfielder replaces none other than Gallardo, River’s most decorated coach, who won 14 titles with the club, including two Copa Libertadores trophies, in 2015 and 2018.
“For a manager like Marcelo to leave, it means things weren’t easy, but I believe in a recovery,” Coudet said.
“I like the chaos. I know the responsibility I have here,” he added.
‘Chaco’ revealed he had personally contacted Gallardo, publicly thanking him for his words of support. “Unfortunately his departure isn’t something that makes me happy,” he said, “but it’s what has brought me here.”
“If we don’t reset, it’s going to become an uphill battle,” he concluded.
Experience
Coudet oversaw his first training session on Wednesday afternoon, marking his first managerial activity in his homeland after seven years in charge of sides in Brazil (Atlético Mineiro, Internacional), Mexico (Tijuana) and Spain (Alavés, Celta de Vigo).
During a previous spell coaching in Argentina, Coudet took charge of Rosario Central and Racing Club, with whom he won the league title and the Campeón de Campeones trophy in 2019.
His arrival had been announced on Monday by River president Stefano Di Carlo in an interview with ESPN.
Gallardo stepped down on February 26 after overseeing a 3–1 win over Banfield in his farewell match.
River have underperformed over the past 18 months despite investing more than US$80 million in transfers. Gallardo reshaped the squad repeatedly, but his gambles failed to pay off. Despite the subdued farewell, he retains the backing of supporters.
“This club belongs among the world’s elite,” Coudet said last week when speculation first emerged over his potential arrival.
In brief comments to the press, he did not hide his pride at seeing his name discussed by the board of directors.
‘Happy with the squad’
The new man in the dugout is steeped in River’s traditions. However, continental football this year will be limited to the Copa Sudamericana after the Millonario missed out on Copa Libertadores qualification for the first time since 2014.
As a player – a combative box-to-box midfielder – Coudet had two spells with the Núñez-based side, between 1999 and 2002 and from 2003 to 2004, a period in which he won five league titles.
He takes over the reins of a giant under pressure. The club has been criticised by many supporters for its transfer market activity. Despite splashing the cash, River failed to sign a centre-forward despite a lack of goals, and several individual performances have disappointed.
He will have to work with a squad he did not assemble, but Coudet remains bullish. “I’m happy with the squad we have,” he said on Tuesday.
An AFA strike scheduled from March 5 to 8 has postponed the next round of fixtures, granting Coudet a full week of training before his debut.
The new coach’s first match is away to Huracán on matchday 10 of the Apertura tournament.
The Millonario currently sit seventh in Group B of Argentina’s Apertura campaign, six points behind leaders Independiente Rivadavia.
– TIMES/AFP/NA
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