Marcelo Gallardo is a world-class coach who has a ‘destiny’ in Europe amid interest from Premier League strugglers Southampton and Leeds United, former River Plate coach Marcelo Tulbovitz tells DelSol FM.
Like Pep Guardiola when leaving Barcelona, Gallardo obviously felt that some time out of the game would do him some good. Some time to himself. Some time to recharge those batteries.
The 47-year-old Argentine is certainly deserving of his rest. During eight staggering and relentless seasons at River Plate, Gallardo won a remarkable 14 trophies; picking up the South American Coach of the Year award on three separate occasions.
There is arguably not a more influential coach outside of Europe right now.
“His main quality is how gets across his ideas. The way he conveys what he wants the team to do on the pitch. Another great virtue is how he manages the work. He is all about the details,” explains Tulbovitz, who spent half-a-decade alongside Gallardo at River Plate.
“If he has to sub off someone, he does not count to three. He’s not capricious in those things. He has an aggressive and offensive vision of the game. He is pragmatic, not tied to a system, and he is quick to read his rival.
“Marcelo is on top of everything at world level.”
Leeds United and Southampton like Marcelo Gallardo
Gallardo, labelled ‘incredible’ by Guardiola himself, appears high on the respective wishlists of both Leeds United and Southampton (The Athletic and iNews). But, after bringing an end to that exhausting spell at River Plate as recently as November, Gallardo is pushing back any decision over his future until the summer.
If Southampton or Leeds really want him, well then they’ll just have to wait.
“Marcelo told us all that he was going to take a good rest, without a date (for his return),” Tulbovitz adds.
“Surely Marcelo has the destiny of going to Europe. He won’t be able to bring all his staff. The European teams have a structure.”
With neither Southampton nor Leeds making much progress in their pursuit of a new head coach – talks with the likes of Jesse Marsch, Chris Wilder, Arne Slot, Andoni Iraola and Alfred Schreuder breaking down – both clubs could settle for a short-term interim appointment until the end of the season, even with their Premier League status on the line.
Leeds have already confirmed that Micahel Skubala will remain in charge for the forseeable. Ruben Selles, meanwhile, should lead Southampton out against Chelsea this weekend.
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