River: Escudero sorprende con juveniles en su debut como DT interino
River Plate will face Independiente Rivadavia in Mendoza on Monday, marking the first match for the club since Marcelo Gallardo’s departure following a loss to Banfield. Marcelo Escudero, the coach of River’s reserve team, has been appointed as interim manager for the match, a role he previously filled during a transition period in 2024.
Escudero was presented to the first team squad on Friday afternoon at the Ezeiza training ground by River Plate president Stefano Di Carlo. While the club searches for a permanent replacement, reportedly considering Eduardo Coudet, Escudero will oversee training and tactical preparations.
Two young players have been promoted to train with the first team as sparring partners during Escudero’s tenure. Agustín De la Cuesta, a central midfielder who briefly appeared in River’s first team in September 2025 before being relegated to the reserves, has been given another opportunity. Maximiliano Soria, a 16-year-old attacking midfielder, has also been called up. Soria debuted with the reserves in a 5-1 victory over Gimnasia de Mendoza.
De la Cuesta made his senior debut in a 2-0 loss to Atlético Tucumán and appeared on the bench in four subsequent matches. Gallardo did not include him in the squad for the 2026 pre-season, leading to his return to the reserve team. Soria, born in 2007, previously played alongside Franco Mastantuono in River’s youth ranks and has been a consistent presence in the club’s youth setup.
Gallardo’s departure follows a series of unsuccessful campaigns for River Plate. The team lost the 2024 Torneo Clausura, the 2024 Copa Libertadores to Atlético Mineiro, the 2025 Supercopa Internacional to Talleres on penalties, the 2025 Torneo Apertura, the 2025 Mundial de Clubes, the 2025 Torneo Clausura, the 2025 Copa Libertadores to Palmeiras and were eliminated from the 2025 Copa Argentina by Independiente Rivadavia in a penalty shootout. Gallardo expressed his disappointment following the Copa Argentina defeat, stating the team had failed to meet expectations and identify with its supporters.
The match against Independiente Rivadavia represents a significant moment for River Plate as they navigate a period of transition following Gallardo’s exit. The club is expected to announce a new permanent manager in the coming weeks, with the possibility of a decision being made before the match against Huracán.