Rubén Darío Insua is on the verge of returning as head coach of San Lorenzo de Almagro. The deal, reported by La Nación AR Deportes, would see him sign a contract until December 2027, replacing Néstor 'Pipo' Gorosito who was dismissed earlier this week.
The team's current situation is precarious. San Lorenzo sits 14th in the Liga Profesional Argentina, with just 7 points from seven matches. Their record shows two wins, one draw, and four losses, with a -3 goal difference. The last result was a 1-0 defeat to Instituto Córdoba on September 1, leaving the team nine points off the top. This immediate context accelerated the search for a new manager.
Why is Insua returning now?
The club's board, led by president Marcelo Culotta, negotiated Insua's return directly. The coach had previously stated, "El día que San Lorenzo me necesite, yo voy a estar" (The day San Lorenzo needs me, I will be there). His previous stint at the club was lengthy and relatively successful. He managed 146 matches between 2022 and 2024, achieving a 51.37% win rate and qualifying the team for the 2023 Copa Sudamericana and the 2024 Copa Libertadores.
His dismissal in April, following a 2-0 loss to Independiente del Valle, did not erase the positive memory he left with several board members. Although some directors opposed his return, support from his former close assistants within the squad was a key factor. Insua traveled to Miami to visit family and is expected to be at the stadium this Saturday before formally taking charge next week.
What happened with Gorosito and other candidates?
Néstor Gorosito paid the price for an eight-match tenure that failed to solidify a project. His exit was made official after the loss to Instituto. Walter Perazzo took interim charge and oversaw the debut of Facundo Farías, whose registration was enabled after resolving a payment issue with a former Insua assistant, Fabián García.
Another name linked to the job was Leandro Cufré. However, his lack of experience as a head coach led the directors to discard that option and focus on a known profile with a club history.
What is the immediate outlook for San Lorenzo?
The schedule waits for no one. This Saturday, September 5, San Lorenzo will host Talleres de Córdoba at the Pedro Bidegain stadium. The opponent also arrives with a new manager, Omar de Felippe, who replaced Jorge Sampaoli. It's a key match between two teams struggling to gain momentum, as Talleres sits 15th in the table. Fans can check the full schedule on our fixtures page.
After that, the team will face Independiente away and host Boca Juniors in the derby. San Lorenzo aims to end a winless streak in clásicos dating back to 2025. The current squad is set for a major overhaul, with more than 15 players unlikely to remain at the club by 2027. To track the squad's evolution, the squad page provides updated information.
Beyond football, the club is dealing with a judicial-economic conflict that included an embargo on its headquarters by former player Ignacio Piatti. In the Copa Argentina, upcoming rivals Boca Juniors advanced to the quarterfinals by beating Vélez Sarsfield on penalties. Insua's return seeks to provide sporting stability amid this complex scenario. His first official challenge will be the match against Talleres de Córdoba this weekend.
