Hearts were beating fast. Euphoria was in the air. The throats were prepared. “Muñeeeeeecooo, Muñeeeecooo” , thundered from all four sides of the stadium when the fans saw their leader poke his head out of the tunnel. At 8:25 p.m., Marcelo Gallardo returned to the Monumental as River coach. And to feel enormous happiness.
Upon hearing the applause that came from all the stands, the Doll raised his arms and opened his heart to greet his faithful. Dressed in a jacket (with the River shield), sweater (with a white shirt underneath) and black pants, after passing by the substitute bench, he went to greet his colleague Frank Kudelka. And, once again in his place, from the moment Fernando Echenique blew the whistle, he stood still and experienced the game that his team played against Huracán with intensity.
It took Gallardo a year and eight months to return to River, much less than even the most optimistic fans expected. It is not his first return to the club where he found his place in the world. He has already left four times and returned four times.
