Gallardo, who left River Plate in February, is expected to sign a four-year contract with the Ecuadorian Football Federation, as reported by Globo Esporte Futebol. The 48-year-old Argentine coach has been heavily linked with the role after Sebastián Beccacece stepped down following the World Cup.
Gallardo's appointment comes as no surprise, given his experience and success as a coach. He has been out of work since leaving River Plate six months ago, and his return to the dugout will be a welcome boost for Ecuador. The team has been without a permanent coach since Beccacece's departure, and Gallardo is expected to hit the ground running.
Gallardo's first task will be to prepare the team for their upcoming fixtures, including a match against South Korea on September 24. The Ecuadorian national team will then travel to Japan for a tournament featuring the hosts, Panama, and New Zealand. The new coach will have a short window to get his team ready for these matches, but he will be expected to make a positive impact.
Gallardo's signing is still pending, but both parties have reportedly reached an agreement. The Ecuadorian Football Federation is said to be keen to appoint a coach who is not currently tied to another team, and Gallardo fits the bill. He is expected to travel to Ecuador in the coming days to finalize the contract.