Gago is already in Buenos Aires: “I’m going home”

There was a revolution of sorts at Ezeiza Airport on Sunday night in Argentina. It just landed Fernando Gagowho this Monday will sign the contract and lead the first training session. And as soon as he left the international arrivals gate he was surrounded by many fans and journalists.

Making sense of the moment and the expectation, Gago took a few seconds, approached the press and, without allowing questions, thanked the fans of Mouth for love these days and left the phrase: “I’m going home.”

Gago returned to Boca, the club where he made his debut in the First Division and eventually allowed him to make the big move to Europe. Later, he returned as a footballer for his second stint. Today is his first time as a xeneize coach.

After spending time as a coach at Aldosivi de Mar del Plata and Racing, Gago directs Chivas de Guadalajara in Mexico. He had a contract, but he left it as soon as he received the call from Boca, causing some criticism. He executed the termination clause, worked out all the contractual details with Juan Román Riquelme and boarded a plane to Buenos Aires.

At 38 years old, Gago came to Boca to organize a battered locker room, to face the disputed history, to define an identity of the game and to fight the River of Marcelo Gallardo, with the ultimate goal of winning the Copa Liberators.

Gago’s debut is on Saturday against Tigre, as a guest, in the league. Four days later, on Wednesday the 23rd, the first big challenge, an eliminatory match for the Argentine Cup, against Gimnasia La Plata, all or nothing. If Boca wins they will advance to the semi-finals. And the champion of that competition qualifies for the Copa Libertadores, for xeneize obsession… Gago knows this. You don’t need anyone to explain it to you. As he said, Boca is his home…