Marcelo Gallardo nears agreement to manage Ecuador national team

Argentine football manager Marcelo Gallardo is nearing an agreement to lead the Ecuador national team. Following the departure of Sebastián Beccacece, the Federación Ecuatoriana de Fútbol (FEF) has identified Gallardo as a primary candidate to oversee the team's upcoming cycle, including the 2028 Copa América and the 2030 World Cup qualification process.

Reports indicate that Gallardo and FEF President Francisco Egas have already held a meeting to discuss the sporting project. While an agreement on the sporting direction has reportedly been reached, negotiations continue regarding economic terms and logistical details. Potential obstacles include the high salary expectations of the former River Plate manager, with estimates ranging between $2.8 million and $3.5 million, compared to the approximately $2.4 million annual salary of his predecessor.

If the deal is finalized, this will mark Gallardo's first experience managing a national team. He is currently a free agent following his tenure at River Plate and a brief period with Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. Other candidates mentioned in the search for a replacement include Luis Zubeldía and Roberto Martínez.