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Mostaza Merlo returns to River in a key role with the club’s youth academy

From Clarín · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources New plan
  • Reinaldo “Mostaza” Merlo has returned to River Plate at age 76 to work with the club’s youth divisions, two decades after his last coaching stint there.
  • Merlo will observe teams from the ninth to the fourth division, the reserve side and training sessions, helping identify players for the first team.
  • Gabriel Rodríguez, the academy’s general coordinator, said Merlo’s experience and connection to the club would be invaluable to the young players.

A River Plate legend has returned to the club, not as a coach but as an experienced observer of the players who could become its next first-team stars. Reinaldo Carlos “Mostaza” Merlo, 76, began working with the youth divisions at RiverCamp in Ezeiza last weekend, two decades after his previous spell as the club’s coach.

I'm very happy because I'm returning home. River is my home.

· Reinaldo Carlos “Mostaza” MerloMerlo described his return to River Plate and his long-standing connection to the club.

“I'm very happy because I'm returning home. River is my home,” Merlo said. The former midfielder came through River’s academy, spent his entire playing career wearing the club’s red sash and won seven titles with the team. He also coached River’s first division twice and remains the club’s record-holder for official appearances, with 563 matches.

His new assignment covers the club’s teams from the ninth through the fourth division, as well as the reserve side. Merlo will attend home and away matches, watch training sessions and assess the players and their development. “I’m going to observe all the divisions from the ninth to the fourth. I’ll watch all the home and away matches, I’ll watch training sessions and then make an analysis,” he said. He added that the goal was to support youth development and find the best players to reach River’s first team.

I’m going to observe all the divisions from the ninth to the fourth. I’ll watch all the home and away matches, I’ll watch training sessions and then make an analysis.

· Reinaldo Carlos “Mostaza” MerloMerlo explained how he will work with River’s youth teams.

Merlo has joined the staff coordinated by Gabriel Rodríguez, but his work will focus on guidance and follow-up rather than coaching. Rodríguez called him an emblematic figure who represents River’s strong sense of belonging. Merlo’s presence at a youth match against Estudiantes de Río Cuarto, on a cold, sunny morning at RiverCamp, drew applause and smiles from those who recognized what his return meant to the club.

He is an emblematic figure, who wore the River Plate shirt in 563 matches, began his career in the club’s youth ranks, and has a great sense of belonging. It is a source of pride that he is with us.

· Gabriel RodríguezRiver’s youth academy coordinator welcomed Merlo’s return.
About this summary

Originally published by Clarín in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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