Marcelo Gallardo, arguably the most decorated club coach in South American football over the past decade, has agreed to take charge of Ecuador’s national team on a four-year deal running through the 2030 World Cup.
The appointment, finalized on September 4 after roughly a month of negotiations, marks Gallardo’s first foray into international management. It also represents Ecuador’s most ambitious coaching hire in recent memory, with the Federación Ecuatoriana de Fútbol (FEF) reportedly committing to a salary exceeding $3M annually, with the total coaching package including staff projected at around $5M.
From Núñez to Quito
Across his legendary tenure at River Plate, spanning more than eight years during his first stint, he collected 14 titles. That haul included domestic league championships and continental trophies that cemented River as the premier force in South American football for a sustained stretch.
Gallardo left River Plate in February 2026, and the Ecuador job represents his return to the touchline.
