Américo Gallego

Midfielder and coach who won the 1978 World Cup with Argentina and later led multiple clubs to league titles.

Américo Rubén "El Tolo" Gallego (born 25 April 1955) is an Argentine football coach and former player. As a midfielder, he played 73 times for the Argentina national team during his playing career.

Quick Facts

Full name: Américo Rubén Gallego
Height: 1.70 m / 5 ft 7 in
Born: 25 April 1955
Birthplace: Morteros, Argentina
Position: Central Midfielder
Total caps: 442
Total goals: 35

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.

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.