He didn’t hide Diego Martinez and he faced reality: he sat in the press conference room to announce what he had talked about seconds ago with the president Juan Roman Riquelme. “I submitted my resignation. I spoke with the Football Council and then with the footballers. We are not going to continue in our role. We believe that it is the healthiest thing for the boys to get ahead,” Martínez said. And he continued: “I am grateful to the institution, to the president for trusting me to carry out an idea. I also thank the people for the incredible love they gave me beyond not having an important name in the history of the club.”
Martínez’s departure, then, is history. He left after 45 games, with 20 wins, 15 draws and 10 lossesbut with the feeling that both he and the team were ready for more. The cycle started well in January, but it began to fade. He was eliminated early in each of the tournaments he played. It only has life in the Argentine Cup: it faces Gimnasia de La Plata in the quarterfinals.
The focus will change starting this Sunday: The lights will all go to President Riquelmewho seemed somewhat nervous in Córdoba. The idol is at the most critical moment since he decided to get into politics, first as vice president and now as head of the group. Román has failed time and again in choosing coaches. Maybe the only one who performed was the first, Miguel Ángel Russo.
Then he opted for Sebastian Battaglia and for Hugo Ibarratwo emblems of the club who had the pleasure of being champions as coaches but had to say goodbye through the back door. Both were failed attempts. Then came Jorge Almirón, who never ended up getting into the crowd, despite reaching the final of the 2023 Copa Libertadores. The current coach of Colo-Colo resigned after the defeat against Fluminense at the Maracaná, a little more ago. of 10 months.
We must add to them Mariano Herronthe Reserve coach who dressed as interim when he was called and who could have been in charge of the team if he got some resounding results. His best chance came after the departure of Almirón, when he led Boca in the defeat against Estudiantes in the semifinals of the Argentine Cup. It was the opportunity to also qualify for Libertadores 2024, and everything returned to zero, with the bet on Diego Martinez.
Where will Riquelme aim now? He will have to analyze well because he cannot fail again, because the fans, who love him and will love him for what he gave on the field, are already beginning to remove him from the poster due to his bad choices. and for the last transfer marketwhich was very exposed when compared to that of River, the classic rival.
Guillermo Barros Schelotto y Fernando Gago They are two acquaintances of the house and who have scrolls. Eduardo Dominguez He would arrive with the support of his father-in-law Carlos Bianchi. Gustavo Quinteroswhich dazzles in Vélez, would be a new bet. The intense Gabriel Heinzea dream. Martin Palermoa utopia discarded by the protagonist himself. José Pekermanperhaps a late arrival.
The names will accumulate and hours and hours will be talked about. The fans will shout their preferences. But Román, this time, cannot fail.