Almeyda steps down as River Plate coach

BUENOS AIRES - Reuters

EPA photo/LEO LA VALLE

Former River Plate midfielder Matias Almeyda ended his 18 months as the Argentine club’s coach on Nov. 28, with two matches to go to the end of the “Inicial” championship.

“My cycle at River has finished,” the former Argentina international, who had a contract until the end of the season next June, told a news conference. “I’d like to return one day as coach or director.”

Almeyda said he had reached agreement with club president Daniel Passarella that River needed a change and that he had perceived he no longer enjoyed the support of the board.

Almeyda, a River player when it was relegated for the first time last year, took the reins and steered them back into the first division winning the Primera B Nacional second division title in June.

Almeyda leaves the team in mid-table with 23 points from 17 matches, 12 points behind leaders Velez Sarsfield.