Marcelo Gallardo is ‘ready’ to take over a European club as Premier League duo Leeds United and Southampton eye the former River Plate coach, Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez tells TYC Sport.
The World Cup winner owes his career to Gallardo.
It was under him that Alvarez became one of the hottest prospects in South American football; his tally of 18 goals in 26 games earning the fleet-footed forward a £15 million move to Manchester City.
Gallardo also coaxed every inch of talent out of Enzo Fernandez, Gonzalo Montiel, Exequiel Palacios, Pity Martinez, Lucas Alario and more while accumulating a staggering 14 trophies across eight years in charge of the Argentine giants.
And, with Leeds director Victor Orta reportedly viewing Gallardo as the ideal architect to build upon the foundations Marcelo Bielsa laid down at Elland Road, Alvarez would give his backing to any Europe-based club looking to hire the 47-year-old tactician (The Telegraph).
Will Marcelo Gallardo end up at Southampton or Leeds?
“Marcelo helped me a lot. I arrived when I was 18 years old from (a spell at) Real Madrid. In 2019 I didn’t play a lot because there were a lot of players,” Alvarez recalls.
“He helped me a lot both as a player and as a person. He doesn’t just give football advice.”
“Yes, obviously Gallardo is ready to lead in Europe. He proved that in all the years he was at River. I don’t know what will cross his mind, but it would be a nice challenge and we all want to see that.”
According to The Athletic, Southampton also sounded out Gallardo before handing the reigns to Ruben Selles on a short-term deal. Both they and Leeds may be in the market for a new head coach in June with Javi Gracia, like Selles, under contract until the summer.
Alvarez, meanwhile, is not the only one at the Etihad who would relish seeing Gallardo bring his high-intensity football to England. Pep Guardiola labelled Gallardo an ‘incredible’ coaching talent, one who deserves far more recognition for his efforts.
‘On top of everything at world level’
“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 Marcelo 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.”
“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.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
