Marcelo Gallardo, a former River Plate coach, has initiated a conversation with Francisco Egas, the president of the Ecuadorian Football Federation, to discuss the possibility of becoming the next coach of the Ecuador national team. According to Tyc Sports, Gallardo has been without a club since leaving River Plate five months ago. The negotiations are expected to be lengthy and involve many details.
Gallardo's potential appointment as Ecuador coach would make him the successor of Sebastián Beccacece, who left the team after the World Cup. The Ecuadorian Football Federation has a commitment to not pursue a coach with an active contract with another team, which could have been a factor in their decision not to consider Luis Zubeldía, who was recently demoted from Fluminense. Zubeldía is now available in the market.
Marcelo Bielsa, a former coach of the Uruguai national team, has also been linked to Gallardo's potential appointment. If he were to become the Ecuador coach, he would be the latest Argentine to take charge of the team, following in the footsteps of Beccacece.