Santiago Solari is a candidate to become the next manager of Club Atlético River Plate. The 49-year-old sporting director of Real Madrid is on the list of options being considered by the club's leadership to take over in January 2027, according to a report published this Thursday by the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.
The team is currently under the interim management of Leonardo Ponzio, who took charge following the departure of Eduardo Coudet. River Plate's board intends for Ponzio to continue until December, before appointing a permanent head coach to lead the project for the remainder of the 2027 season. This search comes as the team sits 11th in the Liga Profesional Argentina, with 7 points from seven games and a -1 goal difference.
Who is Santiago Solari?
Santiago Solari has an extensive career linked to elite football. As a player, he stood out at River Plate, Atlético de Madrid, and Real Madrid, among other clubs. His coaching career began in Real Madrid's youth academy, where he later managed the first team in several matches. Subsequently, he had a stint at Club América in Mexico before returning to the Spanish club to serve as sporting director. In recent months, there had been rumors about a possible departure from the Spanish club, and now he emerges as a concrete option for the Millonario bench.
What other names are linked to the River Plate job?
The list of candidates reported by Mundo Deportivo is extensive and weighty. Alongside Solari, other managers with a past at the club or significant experience in Argentine football are mentioned. Gerardo Martino, Ramón Díaz, Hernán Crespo, Gabriel Heinze, and Gabriel Milito are some of the names in the frame. However, the management's 'great dream', according to the publication, would be Lionel Scaloni, the current Argentina national team manager. His arrival would, of course, depend on Scaloni deciding to leave the Albiceleste.
What is the sporting context for this news?
The news about interest in Solari arrives during a period of sporting transition for River Plate. The team just secured an important 3-2 away victory against Banfield on August 30, improving their recent form to two wins, one draw, and one loss in their last four matches. However, in the overall table they remain 9 points behind the leaders, Argentinos Juniors. The next fixture is key: this Sunday, September 6, they will host Independiente Rivadavia, who are sixth in the table, at the Monumental. Fans can follow the team's progress on our stats page and check the full schedule in the fixtures section.
The decision on the next head coach will be made in the coming months, as the team tries to climb the standings. The definitive appointment will set the course for the club for the second half of the 2027 season.
