Marcelo Gallardo nears agreement to coach Ecuador national team

Marcelo Gallardo is the leading candidate to become the new head coach of the Ecuador national football team, succeeding Sebastián Beccacece. While reports indicate that an economic agreement has been reached, several logistical and structural details remain to be finalized before a contract is signed.

Key pending issues include Gallardo's place of residence, with Quito being the primary option due to the administrative structure of the Federación Ecuatoriana de Fútbol (FEF). Negotiations are also addressing how much time he will spend in Argentina with his family during non-activity periods.

Additionally, there is a disagreement regarding the size of his technical staff. Gallardo has reportedly requested approximately 10 collaborators, including physical trainers and video analysts, but the FEF has expressed hesitation about accepting the full group. The financial offer from the FEF is estimated to be around USD 3 million annually.