 Merlo playing forRiver Plate c. 1979 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Reinaldo Carlos Merlo | ||
| Date of birth | (1950-05-20)20 May 1950 (age 74) | ||
| Place of birth | Buenos Aires, Argentina | ||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1969–1984 | River Plate | 526 | (11) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1986–1987 | Los Andes | ||
| 1989–1990 | River Plate | ||
| 1991 | Argentina U20 | ||
| 1993 | Argentina U17 | ||
| 1995 | Bolívar | ||
| 1998 | Deportes Temuco | ||
| 1998–1999 | Chacarita Juniors | ||
| 1999 | Atlético Nacional | ||
| 2000 | Belgrano | ||
| 2001–2002 | Racing Club | ||
| 2004–2005 | Estudiantes | ||
| 2005–2006 | River Plate | ||
| 2006–2007 | Racing Club | ||
| 2008 | Barcelona SC | ||
| 2009 | Rosario Central | ||
| 2013 | Douglas Haig | ||
| 2013–2014 | Racing Club | ||
| 2014–2015 | Colón | ||
| 2017 | Fuerza Amarilla | ||
| 2018–2019 | Racing de Córdoba | ||
| 2021- | Defensores Unidos | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Reinaldo Carlos Merlo (born 20 May 1950) is an Argentinefootball coach and former player, who played as amidfielder.
Known asMostaza (mustard) because of his off-blond hair,[1] Merlo played his entire career forRiver Plate as adefensive midfielder. He was part of the midfield that conquered a string of championships under coachÁngel Labruna between 1975 and 1981, the others beingJuan José López andNorberto Alonso.
Merlo was, together with goalkeeperUbaldo Fillol and defenderDaniel Passarella, the backbone of that team. River, nonetheless, purchased several players to fill in Merlo's position, because he was considered a great defender, but a liability once the team got the ball.[citation needed] Among them were Ramiro Pérez,Chamaco Rodríguez, Della Savia, Cierra, Carranza, Pitarch, de los Santos, andAmérico Gallego, who ultimately earned Merlo's position. Before retirement, Merlo mentored an up-and-coming midfielder:Néstor Gorosito. Both Gallego and Gorosito have since met Merlo as rival coaches.
Merlo made over 500 appearances for River. He won seven titles during his time at the club and made 42 appearances in theSuperclasico, more than any other player in history.[citation needed]
After the end of his playing career, Merlo studied for an official coach matriculation, and proceeded to train several smaller teams until offered the position of coach at River Plate in 1989, together with Alonso. Merlo and Alonso were dismissed in mid-season after new club president Davicce made good on an election promise to bring Passarella as coach; the team won the championship title, and fans gave Merlo credit for a big part of that success.
In 1999, Merlo commandedAtlético Nacional of Colombia during the first half of the season; albeit successful, his managerial choices proved unpopular, and he resigned from his position. He was subsequently replaced byLuis Fernando Suarez, who would eventually win the tournament. Fans later gave credit to Merlo for his part on the title.[citation needed]
In 2001, Merlo did the almost-impossible[citation needed] and coached the team that ended a 35-year drought forRacing Club.[2] His serenity and his insistence on taking things one match at a time earned him his nickname"paso a paso" (step by step), after the sentence he often told anxious fans and reporters.[3]
WhenCarlos Bilardo leftEstudiantes in 2004, Merlo was offered the post of coach; the team advanced from relegation danger to the top positions, being a contender both in the 2004Apertura and the 2005Clausura. Merlo recalls fondly that both his debut (in 1969) and his first goal were both against Estudiantes[1].
In August 2005, Merlo resigned from his post in Estudiantes. A few weeks later,Leonardo Astrada resigned as River Plate coach, and Merlo was brought in his place.
On 9 January 2006, following a dim campaign in which River failed to contend for the 2005Apertura, Merlo resigned as River Plate coach, and Passarella was called to fill in. There is controversy about the way he left River Plate during that pre-season of 2006. It is said thatMarcelo Gallardo told him that neither he nor his teammates agreed with "his project", and that led to many discussions that made Merlo quit the team, and Gallardo is still blamed for Mostaza's sudden departure.[4]
Merlo since went on to unsuccessful spells as managers atRacing Club andBarcelona SC of Ecuador.[5][6]
In 2009, he became the manager ofRosario Central but left the club on 15 April 2009 after only five games in charge (won three, tied one and lost one) because of personal problems with the playerEzequiel González.[7]
Merlo returned to managerial functions in February 2013, hired by Club Douglas Haig, playing inPrimera B Nacional.[8]
River Plate
Racing Club
