Marcelo Gallardo is one economic agreement away from taking charge of Ecuador

Marcelo Gallardo is close to becoming Ecuador’s new national team coach, but one issue still separates the Argentine from the job: money. The Ecuadorian Football Federation and Gallardo have already agreed on sporting terms, while negotiations over the financial package continue in Madrid.

Federation president Francisco Egas held a latest meeting with Gallardo, according to transfer specialist César Merlo. The proposed agreement would last four years and include Gallardo’s coaching staff. Egas is extending his stay in Madrid in an effort to complete the deal.

The talks follow Sebastián Beccacece’s departure from the Ecuador team. Egas had publicly said the federation hoped to appoint a coach by the end of August, which could allow the new manager to make his debut during the next international window.

The incoming coach would face an immediate schedule of three friendlies in Asia. Ecuador is due to play South Korea in Suwon on September 24, then travel to Japan for the Kirin Cup. The team will face Japan on October 1 before meeting either Panama or New Zealand on October 5, depending on the result, in a match to determine the champion or third-place finisher.

Gallardo has coached River Plate in two spells, as well as Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia and Uruguay’s Nacional. Taking Ecuador would give him his first job with a national team. His biggest successes came at River, where he won 14 titles, including two Copa Libertadores and a Copa Sudamericana.