Here is all you need to know about Marcelo Gallardo as the Argentine coach rumoured to be joining Al Ittihad next and his salary
TyC Sports claims that the 47-year-old Marcelo Gallardo will travel to the Middle East to assume leadership of Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.
Who is Marcelo Gallardo new Al Ittihad manager, salary, contract, tactics and career stats
Having overseen eight trophy-filled seasons, the 47-year-old left River Plate last season. On the other hand, since Nuno Espirito Santo, the previous manager, was fired last week, Al Ittihad has been without a manager. After winning the Saudi League title the previous season, the former manager of Porto and Tottenham Hotspur was fired a few weeks into the 2023–2024 campaign.
Who is Marcelo Gallardo?
Marcelo Daniel Gallardo is an Argentine football coach and former professional player who was born on January 18, 1976, in Merlo, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He most recently managed River Plate.
Marcelo Gallardo’s Al Ittihad contract details
Gallardo will have a deal with the team that expires in June 2025. Nonetheless, the agreement may be extended for a further two years, to June 2027.
🟡⚫️🇦🇷 Marcelo Gallardo will sign as new Al Ittihad manager on contract valid until June 2025.
It will also include an option to extend for further 18 months, until June 2027. pic.twitter.com/hFWucC1Onr
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 15, 2023
Talking about how much he will earn there, Al Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard was reportedly making almost $19 million a year earlier this year, according to reports in the UK press. That is around $365,00 a week. Gallardo will probably be among the highest-paid football coaches in the world once his contract with Al Ittihad is finalised, even though his pay will not be quite as high as Benzema’s.
Just over a year after he departed his beloved club as a hero, ex-River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo has accepted an offer worth around US$15-million a year to take charge of Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad.
A look at Marcelo Gallardo’s career
Marcelo Gallardo started his career in the club’s youth divisions and, in 1993, at the age of seventeen, made his Premier Division debut in Argentina. Gallardo was a playmaker and attacking midfielder when he was a player.
In 2000, he was voted French League Footballer of the Year after moving to France’s Ligue 1 AS Monaco FC, following a six-year stint during which he won five local league championships, the 1996 Copa Libertadores, and the 1997 Supercopa Libertadores.
Despite having performance issues in both FIFA World Cups, Gallardo competed for Argentina.
For his managerial career, following Ramón Díaz’s contentious departure on May 27, 2014, Gallardo was introduced as River Plate’s new manager on June 6, 2014, by technical secretary and former colleague Enzo Francescoli.
He also likes to press very very high and wants his offensive, midfield and defensive lines to participate in press which is called the “diretta”. In his first year at River Plate, Gallardo often used a 4-3-1-2 or 4-4-2 formation and focused heavily on defense.
He encourages short, precise passes from defence and a gradual build through the thirds until a suitable attacking position is reached. A brilliant tactician, who credits Marcelo Bielsa’s coaching methods and Pep Guardiola’s possession-based and high-pressing football.
Who is Marcelo Gallardo married to?
Marcelo Gallardo is married to his high school sweetheart Geraldine La Rosa with whom he has four children, all sons.
What is Marcelo Gallardo’s net worth?
Marcelo Gallardo has a net worth of $19 million as of 2023.