Riquelme Postpones Boca’s Manager Appointment Until 2026

Boca Juniors will not hire a sporting manager this season, as confirmed by local reports on September 17. Club president Juan Román Riquelme has decided to delay the restructuring of the football department until 2026, leaving Marcelo “Chelo” Delgado responsible for day-to-day operations.

This decision follows weeks of speculation after the Football Council was dissolved, which resulted in Raúl Cascini and Mauricio Serna leaving their positions. Riquelme had considered bringing in a high-profile figure, including José Pekerman, but the board determined that adding a new executive during the season could cause instability.

With Miguel Russo’s team focused on improving their standing in the Clausura tournament and qualifying for next year’s Copa Libertadores, the leadership chose to maintain continuity. Delgado has received positive feedback for effectively managing player relationships and coordinating with the coaching staff.

Notably, Cascini made a public appearance this week at Boca’s reserve match against Defensa y Justicia in Florencio Varela. Although he no longer holds an official position, his presence with club staff highlighted his ongoing relationship with the team.

The club plans to revisit the option of appointing a technical secretary or manager in 2026, when conditions are likely to be better. Until then, Boca will continue with its current structure, aiming for stability both on and off the field as it pursues its sporting objectives.