Argentine football giant River Plate announced on Monday that club legend Marcelo Gallardo is stepping down as head coach.

Gallardo confirmed the decision shortly after in a video shared through the club’s social media channels.

“Thursday will be my last game [as River head coach],” he said. “I can only thank this massive club and its people for their undying love, even through the worst moments.”

Gallardo, affectionately known as El Muñeco (the doll), departs in the midst of a three-game losing streak with River sitting 10th in Group B of the 2026 Torneo Apertura. The club has lost 11 of its 15 First Division games and 13 of its last 20.

“I’m flooded with emotion and pain for having failed to........

© Buenos Aires Herald