Américo Gallego

Football player infobox
playername = Américo Gallego


fullname = Américo Rubén Gallego
height =
nickname = El Tolo
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1955|4|25
cityofbirth =
countryofbirth = Argentina
currentclub = retired
clubnumber =
position = Midfielder
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1974-1980
1981-1988
clubs = Newell's Old Boys
River Plate
caps(goals) = 262 (25)
180 (10)
nationalyears = 1975-1982
nationalteam = Argentina
nationalcaps(goals) = 073 0(3)
pcupdate = May 2007

Américo Rubén "El Tolo" Gallego (born 25 April 1955) is an Argentine football coach and former player.

Playing career

As a player, Gallego debuted in the Argentine league in 1974 as a midfielder for Newell's Old Boys. After a rookie season in which he saw little action, he quickly made a name for himself and was given a starting spot and regular playing time during the 1975 season. After being part of the Argentine national team that won the 1978 FIFA World Cup, Gallego stayed on at Newell's for three more years before being transferred to one of the two biggest teams in his country: River Plate.

It was there where Gallego would finish out his career, playing for the "Millonarios" for seven years before retiring at the conclusion of the 1987/88 season, but not before enjoying a league championship, one Copa Libertadores, one Intercontinental Cup and two Copa Interamericanas. El Tolo finished his career with 440 games in the Argentine league and 35 goals in a total of 14 years.

Awards and trophies

* 1975 Toulon Youth Tournament with Argentina
* 1978 FIFA World Cup with Argentina
* 1985/1986 Primera Division Argentina with River Plate
* 1986 Copa Libertadores with River Plate
* 1986 Intercontinental Cup with River Plate
* 1986 Copa Interamericana with River Plate

Coaching career

After retirement, Gallego turned his attention towards coaching. In 1994 Gallego was chosen to manage his former team, River Plate. In his first tournament as head coach, his "Millonarios" went undefeated to win the championship. The following year, he served as an assistant coach under Daniel Passarella, the Argentine national team's head coach, for the three year tenure. After his experience with the national team, El Tolo returned to coach River Plate, with whom he won another championship, this time in 2000.

In 2002, he coached Independiente to a championship, ending the team's 8 year drought. In 2004, he returned to the Newell's Old Boys organization after a 23 year hiatus, and once again proved his worth as a head coach, winning a championship that very same year. With that, he became only the second coach ever to win championships with three different Argentine clubs (along with José Yudica, who did the same with Argentinos Juniors, Quilmes AC and Newell's).

His success attracted attention from teams in other countries, notably from Mexico. After leaving Newell's Old Boys, Gallego was sought after by a myriad of clubs, including San Lorenzo de Almagro, but chose CD Toluca in Mexico. Despite being overtly criticized by the media and his team's own fans for his defensive style and benching of established players in favor of younger, inexperienced players - his scheme paid off and Toluca won the Apertura 2005 championship in Mexico, and was named Best Coach of the championship. Gallego resigned as coach for Toluca and said he wanted some time off to be with his family and be away from soccer for a while. His time off lasted very little, as a juicy offer from Tigres UANL made him change his mind and take over for Mario Carillo as coach.After an unsuccessful spell and a streak of bad results he was sacked on February 2008.

Awards and trophies

* Argentina
** 1994 Torneo Apertura with River Plate
** 2000 Torneo Clausura with River Plate
** 2002 Torneo Apertura with Independiente
** 2004 Torneo Apertura with Newell's Old Boys
* Mexico
** 2005 Apertura with Toluca
** 2006 Champions Cup with Toluca

External links

*nfteams|19310
*es icon [http://www.futbolxxi.com/Tecnico.aspx?ID=232&SEOTecnico=Gallego+Americo+Ruben Managerial statistics in Argentina]