Rosario, Argentina – Newell’s Classic Boys are navigating a period of uncertainty following the resignation of head coaches Favio Orsi and Sergio Gómez after a decisive 3-0 defeat to Banfield. The club announced on Sunday that Lucas Bernardi will take the helm on an interim basis, leading training sessions as the team prepares for crucial upcoming matches, including the highly anticipated Rosario clásico against Central.
The abrupt departure of Orsi and Gómez marks the first significant sporting turbulence for Ignacio Boero, who assumed the presidency on December 14th with a substantial margin of victory, and his Commission Directiva. The situation is further complicated by a disturbing incident earlier Sunday, where an unidentified individual or individuals launched a Molotov cocktail at the car of a Newell’s player at the Bella Vista training grounds, accompanied by threatening messages, according to reports.
Bernardi, familiar with the club, previously stepped in as interim manager during the final matches of the 2025 Clausura Tournament following the exit of Cristian Fabbiani. Newell’s confirmed his appointment via social media, stating he will lead the team “momentarily” alongside his existing reserve team staff.
El plantel regresará a los entrenamientos este domingo en el Centro Jorge Griffa bajo la conducción de Lucas Bernardi, quien asumirá al frente del primer equipo de forma momentánea junto al cuerpo técnico que lo acompaña en reserva. pic.twitter.com/cjfCfhbrzD— Newell’s Old Boys (@Newells) February 22, 2026
Interim Role and the Road Ahead
The immediate question facing the club is who will manage the team during the upcoming fixtures. Newell’s faces Estudiantes on Wednesday, February 26th, and then the pivotal Rosario clásico against Central the following Sunday, both matches to be played at the Coloso Marcelo Bielsa stadium. The club has not yet specified the duration of Bernardi’s interim role, leaving open the possibility of a longer-term appointment or the pursuit of an alternative manager.
Bernardi himself expressed last year that he was not interested in assuming the role of permanent head coach, limiting his acceptance to securing the team’s Primera División status – a feat achieved with a victory over Huracán. However, circumstances may have shifted, and the club is evaluating his suitability for a more extended tenure.
A Disappointing Cycle for Orsi and Gómez
The cycle of Orsi and Gómez, who previously won the Torneo Apertura with Platense, was marked by a lack of success. In six matches at the helm of Newell’s, they failed to secure a win, suffering four defeats. The pair arrived with high expectations, and the club brought in ten new players during the transfer window, but the team struggled to find a cohesive identity and consistently competitive form.
Roberto Sensini, the club’s sporting director, and Boero now face the challenge of identifying a suitable replacement, a task made more difficult by the team’s current form and the looming clásico. According to reports, the club had already begun sounding out potential candidates, including Julio Vaccari and Martín Palermo, and even Frank Kudelka, before the decision to part ways with Orsi and Gómez was finalized.
Past Interim Experience for Bernardi
This isn’t Bernardi’s first time stepping into the breach for Newell’s. He previously managed the team during the final stages of the 2025 Clausura Tournament after the departure of Cristian Fabbiani. His ability to stabilize the team during that period, ultimately securing their Primera División status, will likely be a key factor in the club’s decision-making process.
Searching for Stability
The club’s leadership is now weighing its options: extending Bernardi’s interim role, quickly appointing a new permanent manager, or allowing Bernardi to lead the team through the clásico before making a final decision. The situation is further complicated by the recent act of violence at the training grounds, highlighting the intense pressure surrounding the club. The incident underscores the demand for stability and a clear direction as Newell’s navigates this challenging period.
Newell’s Old Boys will continue training under Lucas Bernardi as they prepare for their match against Estudiantes. The club has not announced a timeline for naming a permanent head coach, but the decision is expected to be made within the coming week. Fans and stakeholders will be closely watching to see how the club responds to this latest setback and whether Bernardi can provide the stability needed to navigate the challenges ahead.
