One of the first missions for the new Red leadership was to identify a fresh DT who might not have appeared on anyone’s radar. The choice reflected a desire to break with past patterns and inject a different energy into the project, even if the fit wasn’t obvious from the start.
Independiente entered the year with a renewed sense of purpose: a leadership team determined to restore credibility after the crisis that followed Hugo Moyano’s presidency, a dozen reinforcements, and a commitment to Leandro Stillitano, a former assistant to Ariel Holan who is often cited as a fan of the club. The initial victory in Córdoba looked like a welcome signal of calm, but it proved to be only a mirage, a brief glow on the horizon rather than a turning point for the season.
After eight dates with only a single win against Talleres, the leadership and the coach agreed to part ways. It became a real headache for Fabián Doman and the club’s Commission, who had to search not just for a new manager but for the right project to guide a squad that historically carries high expectations and a heavy burden of tradition. The challenge was clear: take a leap with a squad that still needed to prove itself capable of matching the club’s storied past.
In this update, the focus is on the ongoing search for the Red side’s next strategic direction. The club is weighing candidates who can restore balance, reassemble a clear playing identity, and translate history into results on the pitch. The process is being watched closely by fans and analysts alike. Goal reports on the latest developments in the search for a new manager.
ARIEL HOLAN
Crusaders
Status: thanks, but no
Interest surged as Soon after Stillitano’s departure was announced, fans rallied around the coach who had previously delivered a memorable title and helped recapture a distinctive identity for the club. He remains a name that stirs strong memories of the Copa Sudamericana triumph and the return of a recognizable style to the team. Yet, the timing and commitments aligned differently this time, as he chose to honor his contract with another institution that runs through December of the current year. The decision underscored the complexities of balancing ambition with existing obligations and the realities of the football calendar. Goal notes the careful, respectful positioning of Holan within this broader narrative.
PABLO GUEDE
Status: As difficult as in December
Date: 2023-03-20
Guede emerged as one of the loudest voices in the prior round of conversations, admired for a long history in Chilean and Mexican football, and for a stint in Argentina that linked him to Independiente in the past. The idea of rebuilding around a coach who could bring attacking vigor and a structured approach generated considerable excitement among supporters who crave a team that can press and create chances. The practical hurdle, however, remains steep: the club’s plan to bolster the squad in June hinges on lifting suspensions of substantial sums that the budget cannot readily cover. The sense among insiders is that financial constraints could limit the scope of any immediate rebuild. Goal tracks the tension between aspiration and reality in this period of transition.
RICARDO ZIELINSKY
Getty
Status: he is free, but…
On a Sunday in mid-March, the rumor mill connected Zielinsky with a project that could inject experience and a tested defensive line into the team. Having just left Estudiantes, and after a short stint at Nacional, his name sparked debate about whether a pragmatist approach could stabilize a squad that had struggled to maximize points. The conversation touched on broader questions about club philosophy and the fit between a coach’s style and the club’s long-term plan. While some voices admired his previous work, others recalled associations with past campaigns and questioned whether the timing was right. The resistance to change was palpable, with memories of past affiliations and the fear of repeating missteps shaping the discourse. Goal observes how the debate over Zielinsky illustrates the broader challenge of aligning leadership with a tradition that weighs heavily in Avellaneda.
Source: Goal