Argentine Primera Division giants Boca Juniors have axed Fernando Gago less than 48 hours after losing the Superclasico to River Plate, saying the decision “hasn’t been easy” but results have “forced” the manager’s departure.
Boca lost the latest episode of one of the fiercest rivalries in football in front of more than 85,000 fans at River Plate’s Estadio Monumental on Sunday, heralding the end of a reign lasting less than seven months for former Real Madrid and Argentina midfielder Gago, who had two hugely successful spells with Xeneizes as a player.
“This is as far as he goes,” Mauricio Serna, a Boca governing council member, was quoted as saying by TYC Sports, reportedly adding that discussions took place on Monday night.
“It hasn’t been easy because he’s a man of the house, but we’re here to make decisions. There are situations that forced us to make a final decision. We’re very grateful. He did his job in the best way possible.”
Franco Mastantuono’dan River Plate-Boca Juniors derbisinde fantastik gol! (DSmart) pic.twitter.com/uufWkM8DMp
— Asist Analiz (@asistanaliz) April 27, 2025
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Fernando Gago sacked: Boca Juniors record
Gago replaced Diego Martinez in October following his predecessor’s resignation the previous month and guided Boca from 10th to the top of Group A with the end of the first phase of the season approaching.
A second-round Copa Libertadores defeat on penalties to Peru’s Alianza Lima and the loss to River Plate proved “too much” for Boca’s hierarchy, the outlet said.
The 39-year-old is the third successive Boca manager to leave without winning a trophy, following Jorge Almiron and Martinez.
Mariano Herron will take interim charge for the fourth time for their trip to Tigre on Sunday.
Gago en @BocaPredio, día 2️⃣💙💛💙 pic.twitter.com/hljR7srd5Q
— Boca Juniors (@BocaJrsOficial) October 15, 2024
Fernando Gago Argentina stats
A 2005 Fifa World Youth Championship winner alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, Gago started his playing career with the Buenos Aires club in 2004 before moving to Europe, winning La Liga twice with Madrid and representing Roma and Valencia.
He rejoined Boca in 2013 but was restricted to 85 appearances across five years because of a succession of injuries, ending his second stint on a career total of five Argentine titles with the club.
A short spell at Velez Sarsfield followed before Gago hung up his boots and went into coaching, starting out with Aldosivi before joining Racing Club.
Gago led Racing to the 2022 Trofeo de Campeones de la Liga Profesional and the Supercopa Internacional before resigning in September 2023 and having a spell at Chivas in Mexico.
Among his other achievements as a player, 2008 Olympic gold medalist Gago reached the 2014 World Cup final and the Copa America final twice.
