Soccer followers queued up Thursday to pay their respects to one of many nationwide recreation’s greats, Boca Juniors deceased supervisor Miguel Ángel Russo, at an emotional stadium send-off in Buenos Aires.
From the early hours of Thursday, lengthy traces of supporters started submitting previous the coffin of the award-winning coach within the chapel of the membership’s legendary Bombonera stadium.
The previous worldwide, who coached Boca Juniors 3 times and likewise had profitable stints at Rosario Central and Estudiantes de la Plata, died Wednesday on the age of 69.
The membership by no means gave particulars of his well being, however native media reported that Russo, who was recognized with prostate most cancers in 2017 and whose well being had deteriorated in latest weeks, had contracted an an infection.
In June, he had agreed to educate Boca Juniors for a 3rd time however had been absent from the sidelines since September 21.
His coffin was draped Thursday within the flags of each Boca and Estudiantes, the membership the place he spent his complete enjoying profession.
“Miguel gave his all for Boca, similar to me,” mentioned 34-year-old Pasallo, who had the membership crest tattooed on his proper arm, alongside the phrase “from the cradle to the grave.”
“We’ll say goodbye like Boca followers do: with a celebration!” mentioned the road vendor, who was dressed from head to toe within the membership’s blue and yellow.
The temper on the stadium was extra reflective than festive, nevertheless.
“Endlessly in our hearts,” learn a Boca Juniors banner that includes Russo’s picture, which hung within the stadium.
Russo was a coach for greater than half his life and was talked up at one level as a possible supervisor for the nationwide aspect after lengthy stints with Boca Juniors, Rosario Central and Estudiantes de la Plata.
‘Returned us to glory’
His trophy cupboard was not in depth, however he had a knack for reviving the fortunes of high groups.
Luis Conrado, a 67-year-old bricklayer, got here to pay his respects from the city of Lanús, on the southern outskirts of Buenos Aires, the place Russo made his teaching debut.
At Lanús, “he discovered us within the B division, rescued us, and returned us to glory. I am right here to thank him for that pleasure,” Conrado mentioned.
Russo’s first first-division title got here with Vélez Sarsfield in 2005.
Later, at Diego Maradona’s request, he was known as on to handle the star’s boyhood membership Boca Juniors, which he led to victory within the 2007 Copa Libertadores, his biggest achievement as a supervisor.
He additionally twice saved Rosario Central, with whom he gained the League Cup in December 2023, from relegation and in 2017 led Colombian aspect Millonarios to a championship title someday after present process chemotherapy for most cancers.
At Estudiantes, the place he performed from 1975 to 1988, he fashioned a part of one of the vital memorable midfields in Argentine soccer, together with Alejandro Sabella, Marcelo Trobbiani, and José Daniel “Bocha” Ponce.
He made the nationwide group however, a lot to his disappointment, was not chosen for the 1986 World Cup, which Argentina gained.
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by Sonia Avalos, AFP
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