Will Fernando Zaniratto Remain Gimnasia Coach After Recent Defeat?

Fernando Zaniratto has secured his position as the head coach of Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, with a contract that extends the current project through December 2026.

The agreement was finalized following several weeks of negotiations between Zaniratto and the club’s leadership. The decision to maintain the coaching staff was based on recent results, Zaniratto’s existing knowledge of the institution, and a professional profile that aligns with the footballing project the club seeks to consolidate.

Zaniratto confirmed the news via an Instagram story, where he posted images of himself directing the team alongside his staff with the message Esto sigue.

Performance and Background

The decision to retain Zaniratto follows a successful period during which he served as interim manager. Across two interim stints in 2024 and the conclusion of the last Clausura tournament, he managed the team in ten matches, recording seven victories and three defeats.

During this period, Zaniratto is credited with leading Gimnasia out of a compromised situation regarding relegation and guiding the team to the tournament semifinals.

Beyond match results, the club’s management highlighted Zaniratto’s formative background. He is a product of the club, having previously worked with the Reserve team and maintaining strong ties with the youth divisions.

Institutional Transition

The confirmation of the head coach comes amid a broader institutional transition at the La Plata-based club. Following a defeat in the classic match that ended the team’s Clausura semifinal run, the club entered a period of restructuring under a new Board of Directors.

As part of this transition, Germán Brunati was appointed as the new Technical Secretary. Brunati, who had been advising the club for several months prior to his official appointment, was presented to the first team and the youth divisions in December 2025 to begin making full operational decisions.

The club is currently led by President Mariano Cowen. The administration’s goals include stabilizing the institution’s finances and improving the squad’s hierarchy after the team narrowly avoided relegation in late 2025.

2026 Season Progress

The 2026 campaign began with a pre-season training camp that started on January 2, 2026, at Estancia Chica.

Gimnasia, known by nicknames such as El Lobo and Los Triperos, continues to compete in the Primera División. Early matches in the 2026 season included a fixture against River Plate at the Monumental on January 28, 2026.

The club, founded on June 3, 1887, remains one of the oldest surviving football clubs in the Argentine league system and continues to operate as a multi-sport institution hosting athletics, basketball, fencing, and several other disciplines alongside its professional football team.