{
  "id": 7240238,
  "title": "Ecuador appoint Gallardo as national team head coach",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/ecuador-appoint-gallardo-as-national-team-head-coach-7240238",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T03:01:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/09/14/ecuador-appoint-gallardo-as-national-team-head-coach"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ecuador has named Argentine Marcelo Gallardo as the new head coach of the national team, according to a statement from the Ecuadorian Football Federation on Sunday. Gallardo replaces Sebastian Beccacece, whose contract was not renewed following Ecuador's defeat to Mexico in the World Cup round of 32 in June.\n\nThe federation expressed optimism about the appointment, stating that they have talent, structure and ambition. They encouraged fans to believe in the team, as they have every reason to do so.\n\nWelcome, Marcelo, the federation added. Gallardo, 50, had been unemployed since leaving River Plate in February. He previously coached two Copa Libertadores titles with Buenos Aires club River Plate, as well as Uruguay's Nacional and Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad.\n\nEcuador's next game will be a friendly match against South Korea on September 24.",
  "summary": "Marcelo Gallardo succeeds compatriot Sebastian Beccacece, whose contract was not renewed after Ecuador lost to Mexico in the World Cup round of 32 in June.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Ecuador appoint Gallardo as national team head coach",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/ecuador-appoint-gallardo-as-national-team-head-coach",
        "published": "2026-09-14T01:41:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Ecuador appoint Gallardo as national team head coach",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/ecuador-appoint-gallardo-as-national-team-head-coach-7239485",
        "published": "2026-09-14T03:01:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}