Club Atlético River Plate confirmed that sporting director Pablo Longoria remains part of the club's football project, dismissing rumors about a potential departure. The news, originally reported by Olé, comes as the team prepares for its next match in the Liga Profesional Argentina.
The team from Núñez currently sits tenth in the table with 10 points from 8 games, recording 3 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses. Their latest result was a 3-1 victory over Independiente Rivadavia on September 6, extending their current winning run to three consecutive matches. The next challenge is a difficult away fixture against fourth-placed Atlético Tucumán on September 12. Fans can track the full schedule on our fixtures page.
What is Pablo Longoria's role at River?
Pablo Longoria, the 40-year-old Spanish sporting director, was hired at the end of April to assume primary responsibility for the sporting and economic management of the professional squad. Stefano Di Carlo, who leads the football project alongside Enzo Francescoli, explained the purpose of his arrival in August. "He came to give us support in the design and assembly of a structure with roles and functions related to the operation of football," Di Carlo said on August 11. His work includes being the brain and manager of the transfer market, which recently closed with multi-million euro movements at the club.
Longoria's career includes scouting roles at Newcastle, Recreativo Huelva, Atalanta, Sassuolo, Juventus, and Valencia, before becoming president of Olympique de Marseille. At River, he works with his Spanish assistant, Domingo Catoira. Despite his experience, his voice remains unknown to much of the club's membership and fanbase.
What changes did his arrival bring to the transfer market?
Since Longoria's incorporation, River Plate generated intense transfer market activity. The club secured the high-profile signings of world champion stars like Nicolás Otamendi, Ángel Correa, and Thiago Almada. Simultaneously, a squad restructuring took place with the marginalization of several players.
At the end of the first semester, Di Carlo announced a list of 14 marginalized players. Some, like Fabricio Bustos, are close to being released. Others, like Matías Viña, remain at the club but train separately at the Cantilo facility, housed in containers, a situation that has led to unfavorable economic outcomes. Longoria's exact participation in the decisions and negotiations for these departures was never publicly clarified.
How will his work at River Plate be evaluated?
The evaluation of Pablo Longoria's performance will be conducted by River Plate's management at the end of the year, as is standard for such roles. Sources from the core of the Board of Directors indicated that the link with Longoria and his assistant Catoira will not be terminated before that assessment. The analysis of his work is permanent and day-to-day.
The team aims to close the gap in the standings, as they currently trail leaders Argentinos Juniors by 7 points. With 10 goals scored and 9 conceded, the goal difference is positive but league performance requires improvement. Supporters can check the evolving table on our standings page.
Rumors about a possible interruption of his work in 2027 were categorically denied by the club through a communication to Olé. River Plate faces Atlético Tucumán away this Saturday, September 12.
