Club Atlético River Plate has appointed club legend Leonardo Ponzio as interim head coach following the resignation of manager Eduardo Coudet. The change was confirmed on Thursday after a two-hour meeting in the Monumental dressing room.
Coudet stepped down in the early hours of Thursday morning after a poor run of results. The manager communicated his decision to president Stefano Di Carlo and technical secretary Enzo Francescoli, who accepted his resignation. His tenure lasted just 176 days, encompassing 27 matches with a record of 13 wins, 6 draws, and 8 defeats. The elimination from the Copa Sudamericana by Colombia's Independiente Santa Fe capped a streak of six consecutive defeats in AFA tournaments, a negative club record.
Why did Eduardo Coudet resign?
Coudet never found a consistent tactical formula for the team. After a reasonable start in the first half of the year, performances collapsed following the mid-year break. The team was knocked out of the Copa Argentina by an Aldosivi side that had only won two matches all year. In the Torneo Clausura, River Plate sits second-from-bottom in Zone B and is outside the qualification spots for next year's international competitions.
The manager acknowledged the issues in his farewell press conference. "I always said this was a process, although sometimes the process is unsustainable without results," stated Coudet. He also admitted the match against Santa Fe "was one to win by a large margin and we ended up without qualification." His public comments and some technical decisions had eroded his standing in recent weeks.
Who is Leonardo Ponzio and what is his plan?
Leonardo Ponzio is a central figure in River Plate's recent history. The Santa Fe native won 17 titles with the red-and-white band, making him the most decorated player in the club's history. After retiring in 2021, he worked within the club's technical secretariat for the past three years, moving between the first team and the reserves. His appointment continues the tradition of club icons making their managerial debut at River, following figures like Daniel Passarella, Ramón Díaz, and Martín Demichelis.
"The interim manager will be Leo Ponzio, who will be accompanied by Marcelo Escudero and his entire working team," president Di Carlo explained. The coaching staff is completed by Christian Manfredi as field assistant, Cristian Segura and Nicolás Paolorossi as fitness coaches, with Marcelo Barovero continuing as goalkeeping coach. Ponzio already took his first training session at the Cantilo facility on Thursday afternoon.
How does this affect the River Plate squad?
Ponzio faces the challenge of lifting a squad demoralized by poor results. The team possesses high-quality players, including world champions, but needs to regain confidence quickly. His natural leadership and the respect he commands from the players are seen as key assets for this transition. On the pitch, Ponzio "was like a manager," as highlighted within the club.
The interim period will likely extend until December, while the board assesses Ponzio's work and analyzes other options for the future. Meanwhile, the team must improve its position in the Torneo Clausura standings. The next match on the fixtures calendar will be crucial to show an immediate change. The interim manager will need to reorganize a team that, according to the stats, has shown serious defensive deficiencies in recent outings.
The immediate priority is to stop the negative streak and rebuild the team's competitive spirit. Ponzio knows better than anyone what it means to wear the River Plate shirt, a factor the board hopes he will transmit to the dressing room. His first official match in charge will define the tone of this new interim era.
