Newell’s Old Boys is one of Argentina’s most storied football clubs, with a rich history dating back to 1903. Founded in the hotbed of Rosario, Newell’s has produced plenty of world-class players over the years. But behind every great team and football star is a great manager, and Newell’s has been fortunate enough to have some of the brightest minds guiding them to glory.
Throughout time, Newell’s has bestowed the title of manager on 60 individuals, but a handful stand heads and shoulders above the rest. The five coaches discussed in this article didn’t only win trophies; they embodied the club’s spirit and truly got what it meant to be a Newell’s Old Boy.
Marcelo Bielsa (1990-1992): The Mastermind
It is impossible not to think of Marcelo Bielsa when you think of Newell’s Old Boys. A Rosario native, Bielsa’s name is synonymous with the club because of his success and the philosophy he instilled. Under Bielsa, Newell’s were often hot favorites for victory with the soccer betting apps thanks to his unique attacking style of play and the fact each one of his players would have run through a brick wall for “El Loco.”
Bielsa took charge of his boyhood club in 1990 and won the Argentine Primera Division title within a year. He introduced a high-pressing, attacking style of football ahead of its time. Rivals struggled to match Newell’s intensity and rarely had answers for Newell’s domination of games. Bielsa’s footballing philosophy has influenced some of the best managers in world football, including Mauricio Pochettino and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.
Under Bielsa, Newell’s also won the 1992 Clausura and reached the 1992 Copa Libertadores. Unfortunately, they lost in the final to Sao Paulo in a dramatic penalty shootout, but Bielsa’s impact was already well felt among everyone connected to Newell’s. The fact that Estadio Marcelo Bielsa is named after him shows what Bielsa means to the club.
Gerardo Martino (2011-2013): The Resurgence
Like Bielsa, Gerardo Martino is another Rosario native with Newell’s DNA running through his veins. As a player, Martino has worn the famous black and red shirt more than 500 times; he holds the club record for appearances. Martino took charge of Newell’s in 2011, with the club fighting relegation. Not only did Martino guide the team away from the dreaded drop, but his arrival at Newell’s sparked a remarkable resurgence.
Martino helped the team to the 2013 Torneo Final championship. Winning the title was one thing, but Martino’s attractive, possession-based football gave Newell’s its identity back. The club legend has since managed FC Barcelona, the Argentina national team, Atlanta United, the Mexican national team, and Inter Miami. Yet, it is Newell’s that made him a legend as a player and a coach.
Jose Yudica (1987-1989): The Silent Architect
Jose Yudica was known for his calm demeanor and for building a strong defensive team, a stark contrast to the Bielsa years that were to come. This pragmatic approach to football means Yudica is not as well-known globally, but Newell’s supporters still revere him. Yudica took over the reins during a period of change at the club and profoundly influenced the team’s mentality.
Yudica believed that you always had a chance to win games if you did not concede goals. It wasn’t pretty at times, but it sure was effective. Yudica’s Newell’s were renowned for grinding out results, particularly against strong opposition. During the 1987-88 season, Yudica’s well-organized defense worked wonders, and Newell’s captured the Argentine Primera Division title.
The coach almost won the 1988 Copa Libertadores, but Newell’s lost to Uruguay’s Nacional at the final hurdle.
Juan Carlos Montes (1974): The Pioneer
Juan Carlos Montes had to make this list because he was the manager who delivered Newell’s first-ever major trophy in the professional era. The 1974 Metropolitano championship win was more than a victory; it was a defining moment that lifted Newell’s to new heights and laid the foundations for future success. The 1974 Newell’s players became heroes overnight, and much of the adoration that came their way was down to Montes.
Montes instructed his players to play with flair and determination, two primary characteristics that eventually came to define the club. Montes’ time at the helm was shorter than that of other iconic Newell managers, but his impact cannot be overstated.
Americo Gallego (2004): The Experienced Winner
Americo Gallego joined Newell’s in 2004, with the club enduring a 12-year trophy drought. Gallego was a much-decorated player and coach, having won four trophies as a River Plate player and the 1978 FIFA World Cup with Argentina. As River Plate manager, Gallego won the Argentine Primera Division twice (Apertura 1994 and Clausura 2000) and then the Apertura 2002 with Independiente. Newell’s brought in Gallego to win a trophy, and he delivered.
Gallego could motivate his players like nobody else, and that motivation, combined with a pragmatic style, ultimately resulted in Newell’s lifting the 2004 Apertura championship. His team combined youth and experience with deadly effect, and they only lost three games during the Torneo Apertura, finishing two points ahead of Velez Sarsfield in a closely fought contest.
Conclusion
Newell’s Old Boys’ legacy is built on not only its star players but also the iconic coaches and managers that have paced up and down the touchline. Marcelo Bielsa, Gerardo Martino, Jose Yudica, Juan Carlos Montes, and Americo Gallego each saw their teams win silverware, but they did more than win trophies. These incredible individuals gave fans unforgettable moments and simply got what it meant to be a Newell’s Old Boy.
Through tactical nouse, fighting spirit, and sheer determination, this quintet of managers will live long in Newell’s fans’ memories, each inspiring future generations of players, managers, and fans who are proud to call themselves “leprosos.”
