Zubeldía Clarifies No Contact with Riquelme, Rules Out Boca Position for Now

Luis Zubeldía has stated that he was never contacted by Juan Román Riquelme and ruled out the chance of coaching Boca Juniors soon, as reported by ESPN. The Argentine manager, who recently left São Paulo, clarified that there were no discussions with the Buenos Aires club despite ongoing speculation linking him to the job over recent years.

“I never spoke with anyone from Boca. This shows the quality of the leadership and highlights how much misinformation exists. I faced similar situations in São Paulo, Racing, and Liga de Quito,” Zubeldía said in a televised interview.

When asked about the possibility of replacing Miguel Ángel Russo, he was clear. “Right now, that’s not an option; it’s not even on my mind due to what Miguel is experiencing,” he noted, referring to Russo’s health. The 69-year-old manager is recovering at home after a recent urinary infection and is expected to return when doctors give the go-ahead.

Zubeldía expressed his respect for Russo, calling him a mentor. “Today, we are all supporters of Miguel because he prioritizes his profession; his work is more important than any stadium, and that comes from his background,” he added.

After being replaced by Hernán Crespo at São Paulo a few weeks ago, Zubeldía emphasized that Boca is not in his plans. “It’s impossible to think about that right now. First, because I don’t see it as a natural option. Second, it doesn’t cross my mind considering what Miguel is going through. Plus, the team is winning, which is great for everyone,” he concluded.