Demichelis is enjoying success in his first year at River Plate

coach of River Plate Martín Demichelis, who this Saturday won his first title as a ‘millionaire’ technician by winning the Argentine League, he explained this Monday in a press conference that he had the necessary “security” when he took his seat.

“I understand that if River decides for us, this is the moment, because I have invested a lot of time in training and I feel confident in assuming the position,” said ‘Micho’, named in November 2020 as the successor to the most successful coach in the club’s history, Marcelo Gallardo.

Asked about ‘el Muñeco’, the former player of Bayern Munich, Málaga and Manchester City, among others, commented on the “similarities in the history of River” and pointed out that, despite the ambiguity of his response, “it is not demagoguery”.

“The river is family, it is shown in the festivities”, argued in reference to the title celebration at the Más Monumental Stadium on Saturday, after beating Estudiantes 3-1, in front of their fans two days before the end of the championship in Argentina.

On the list of legendary River coaches

‘Micho’ mentions great names from ‘millionaire’ history, such as Ariel Ortega, Leo Astrada, Enzo Francescoli, Amadeo Carrizo, Ramón Díaz, Omar Labruna and Ubaldo Matildo Fillol as a line of “continuity” he also belongs to.

“We will never give up on what this story demands, who should be the protagonist. It could be better or worse, but we will resign ourselves to being the protagonists in the tournaments, in all courts we will not put it up for debate,” said the Argentine coach.

Ramón Díaz and Pellegrini, references

Regarding the proper names, Demichelis also had time to remember the technicians he worked with and inspired him in his career, of which he mentioned Ramón Díaz – in whom, he said, “trusted” him and gave him “the opportunity to grow as a professional footballer” – and Manuel Pellegrini.

With the Chilean, with whom he worked at River Plate, at Malaga and at City, he summed up that he was “the most important coach” of his career, for the seven years he shared with him.

On the River bench with no experience

When he arrives in River Plate, in November 2022, Demichelis only coached Bayern Munich’s subsidiary -a team where he succeeded as a footballer- and became an assistant on the Málaga bench.

‘Micho’ was a player of the ‘millionaire’ team between 2001 and 2003 before signing for Bayern, where he won four Bundesliga titles (2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009), among other local that championship.

In Málaga he lived great sporting moments before signing for Manchester City, with Pellegrini in charge again, he won the Premier League (2014), and returned to Spanish football before announcing his retirement from professional football after 550 games and 32 goals.

And now the Cup

Demichelis appeared this Monday in a press conference with his entire coaching staff at the River Camp, the sports venue of the “millionaire” club in Ezeiza (Buenos Aires province), after proclaiming himself champion of the Argentine League with two dates in advance and with a goal in Thursday’s cup duel against Talleres in the 1/16 final.