Marcelo “Muñeco” Gallardo agrees to take charge of Ecuador

Marcelo “Muñeco” Gallardo is one signature away from taking charge of Ecuador’s national team. The Argentine coach is set to begin his first job with a national side after a long and successful spell at River Plate, with a four-year mandate focused on Ecuador’s route to the 2030 World Cup.

According to information from journalist César Luis Merlo, the Ecuadorian Football Federation has reached an agreement to begin a new cycle and end Sebastián Beccacece’s tenure. Beccacece’s team recorded notable results this year, including a historic victory over Germany in the group stage, but Ecuador’s World Cup campaign ended in the round of 32 with a defeat by co-hosts Mexico.

The appointment continues Ecuador’s preference for Argentine coaches. Gustavo Alfaro had already delivered strong results with the team at the 2022 World Cup, and Ecuador now turns to one of South America’s most influential coaches for what the report describes as a definitive step forward.

Gallardo built his reputation through titles and high-level club work. After beginning his coaching career at Uruguay’s Nacional in 2011, he took over River Plate in mid-2014 and spent more than eight years reshaping the club’s modern history. He won 14 trophies, seven domestic and seven international, including two Copa Libertadores titles and a Copa Sudamericana.

A short spell at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad preceded his return to River in August 2024. That second stint did not reproduce his earlier success, and its end opened the way to the Ecuador challenge. The national-team job will require a different rhythm, with limited time during FIFA windows instead of weekly club competition. Gallardo will have to focus on scouting across the country and building a competitive structure over the longer term.