Marcelo Gallardo, visibly emotional, has announced that he will coach his last match for River Plate against Banfield. His decision comes after a disappointing 18-month period without any titles, which has been characterized by a troubling series of defeats and poor performance by the team. Fans and analysts have noted several contributing factors that pressured him to leave, including ineffective recruitment policies and inconsistent promotion of youth players from the club's academy.

The culmination of these issues has placed significant scrutiny on Gallardo's second term as head coach, eroding the goodwill that previously surrounded him. Despite his past successes, the current squad's struggles and a failure to compete effectively in domestic and international competitions led many to believe that a change was necessary. This sense of urgency was palpable among supporters, as previous coaches struggled under similar circumstances, further highlighting Gallardo's unique position in the club's history.

In his farewell announcement, Gallardo acknowledged the disappointing results and implied that he was aware of the growing discontent regarding the team's direction. His departure represents both the end of an era for River Plate and a critical moment for the club as they consider future opportunities for leadership and talent aimed at restoring their competitive edge in Argentine football.