Overview
- The Ecuador Football Federation confirmed Marcelo Gallardo as the national team’s head coach, with president Francisco Egas announcing the hire in a video posted on social media.
- Gallardo replaces Sebastián Beccacece following Ecuador’s early knockout exit at the 2026 World Cup and will lead the team for the 2030 qualifying campaign.
- Gallardo arrives with a standout club record — 14 trophies at River Plate, including two Copa Libertadores — but he has never managed an international side.
- His recent second spell at River Plate ended without more silverware and he had a brief coaching stint at Saudi club Al-Ittihad, facts that temper expectations about his current form.
- Ecuador enter the cycle as a rising South American side with defensive stars such as Piero Hincapié and Willian Pacho, and the federation and fans will watch how Gallardo adapts his attacking club style to national-team duties.