Américo Gallego

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Gallego said he was taken to Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina at the age of 5 and played for Club Alianza Sport as a child. He made his debut with Newell's Old Boys at the age of 14. At the age of 19, he debuted in the Argentine league in 1974 as a midfielder for Newell's Old Boys. After a rookie season with little action, he earned a starting spot in 1975. He played for Argentina at the 1975 Pan American Games and was part of the Argentina national team that won the 1978 FIFA World Cup. He stayed at Newell's for three more years before transferring to River Plate. He played for River for seven years, retiring at the conclusion of the 1987/88 season. He was captain during River's first Copa Libertadores, Intercontinental Cup and Copa Interamericana titles. His career ended with 440 Argentine league appearances and 35 goals in 14 years.

In Their Own Story

In 2004, Gallego returned to Newell's Old Boys after a 23-year hiatus, proving his coaching worth by winning the Apertura championship that very same year. This victory made him only the second coach ever to win the Argentine Primera with three different clubs, joining José Yudica. His success led to an offer from Mexico, where he took over CD Toluca despite criticism for his defensive style and preference for younger players. The strategy worked, securing the Apertura 2005 title and earning him Best Coach of the championship honors. He later coached Tigres UANL in 2007 but was sacked in February 2008 after a streak of bad results. His managerial journey also included stints at Independiente, where he ended an eight-year drought in 2002, and Colo-Colo in Chile during 2011.

Reader's Guide

After retirement, Gallego turned to coaching. In 1994 he managed River Plate, going undefeated to win the championship. From 1995 he served as assistant coach under Daniel Passarella for the Argentine national team for three years. He returned to coach River Plate, winning another championship in 2000. In 2002 he coached Independiente to a championship, ending an 8-year drought. In 2004 he returned to Newell's Old Boys and won a championship that same year, becoming only the second coach to win the Argentine Primera championship with three different Argentine clubs. He then coached CD Toluca in Mexico, winning the Apertura 2005 championship and being named Best Coach. He resigned in 2007, then took over at Tigres UANL but was sacked in February 2008. In March 2009 he returned to Independiente until June 2010 without winning a championship. In February 2011 he began a tenure at Colo-Colo of Chile, finishing in August of that year.

Did You Know?

• Gallego made his debut with Newell's Old Boys at the age of 14.
• He was part of the Argentina national team that won the 1978 FIFA World Cup.
• He captained River Plate to their first Copa Libertadores, Intercontinental Cup and Copa Interamericana titles.
• He is only the second coach to win the Argentine Primera championship with three different Argentine clubs.