When will Marcelo Gallardo arrive to sign with Ecuador?

Marcelo Gallardo is expected in Ecuador next week to sign a four-year contract and take charge of the national team. The agreement with the Ecuadorian Football Federation is considered complete on sporting matters, with only minor financial details still to be settled.

Federation president Francisco Egas and Gallardo held intensive negotiations in Madrid. Journalist César Luis Merlo reported that, barring a catastrophe, Gallardo would become Ecuador’s coach. ESPN journalist Esteban Edul later said Ecuador’s leadership wanted the Argentine to arrive the following week to formalize the agreement.

The proposed contract would cover friendly matches during FIFA windows, the 2028 Copa América and the qualifying campaign for the 2030 World Cup. That tournament will be hosted by Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

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Unless there is a catastrophe, Gallardo will be the coach.

Once the administrative work is complete, Gallardo and his staff will prepare their first squad. His debut is scheduled for the 24th of the month against South Korea in Suwon. Gallardo’s most recent match as River Plate coach came on Feb. 26, when River beat Banfield 3-1 at the Monumental in the Argentine league.

Gallardo, 50, later worked as an ESPN commentator during the 2026 World Cup, but left the panel early for “personal matters.” Rumors linked him with Uruguay, which he denied. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said, explaining that he had prior commitments. If completed, the appointment would make him Ecuador’s 37th coach and its ninth Argentine manager.

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I’m not going anywhere. I have commitments I made before coming and I have to honor them. It’s not that I’m going to coach somewhere, nothing like that. I’m explaining it so no false expectations are created.