A Turning Point: Coudet's Departure
On August 27, 2026, River Plate experienced a significant shake-up. After being knocked out of the Copa Sudamericana in the round of 16 by Independiente Santa Fe (a penalty shootout loss), Eduardo 'Chacho' Coudet ceased to be the club's head coach. The news was announced in a press conference featuring Coudet himself, club president Stefano Di Carlo, and manager Enzo Francescoli. Di Carlo stated that the parting was by mutual agreement.
Coudet's tenure lasted 176 days, from March 4 to August 26, 2026. During that period, he led the team in 27 official matches, with a record of 14 wins, 4 draws, and 9 losses (according to Infobae) or 13 wins, 6 draws, and 8 losses (according to ESPN), with an efficiency rate of 56.8% per Infobae. However, the numbers tell only part of the story: the team lost the final of the 2026 Torneo Apertura to Belgrano de Córdoba, was eliminated in the round of 32 of the Copa Argentina by Aldosivi, and suffered a streak of six consecutive defeats in AFA tournaments. Additionally, River sits in 11th place in the Annual Table, outside the qualification spots for international cups in 2027.
Leonardo Ponzio: A Club Legend Steps Up
River's management wasted no time in confirming Leonardo Ponzio as the interim coach. Ponzio, who had been working in the club's Technical Secretariat since November 2022, will take on his first head coaching role. His coaching staff includes Marcelo Escudero and Christian Manfredi as assistant coaches, and Cristian Segura and Nicolás Paolorossi as fitness trainers.
Ponzio is a living legend at River: he is the player with the most titles in the club's history (17), and as a player, he appeared in 358 matches, scored 10 goals, and provided 16 assists. His deep knowledge of the club and his leadership will be crucial during this transitional period.
The Debut: River vs. Banfield
Ponzio's first challenge will be on Sunday, August 30, at 3:00 PM (Argentina time), when River visits Banfield at the Estadio Florencio Sola, for the seventh round of the Torneo Clausura. This match is crucial for reversing the poor form and starting to accumulate points to climb toward international cup qualification.
The pressure is immense: River invested nearly 70 million US dollars in the last transfer window, with high-profile signings like Thiago Almada, Ángel Correa, and Nicolás Otamendi. Expectations from both the fans and the board are at an all-time high.
Who Will Be the Next Permanent Coach?
While Ponzio takes charge, the press is already speculating about potential successors. Among the names being floated are Hernán Crespo, Santiago Solari, Pablo Aimar, Gabriel Milito, and Ramón Díaz. The final decision will rest with the club's leadership, which will seek a profile that fits the sporting project and the demands of a club like River.
For now, all eyes are on Sunday's match. With Ponzio at the helm, River will look to get back to winning ways and restore the confidence of their passionate fanbase.