BOCA JUNIORS enters a period of rebuilding

Following the departure of Claudio Úbeda and after a season marked by inconsistency on the field, the board led by Juan Román Riquelme has already identified the man chosen to lead the club’s next football project: Rodolfo Arruabarrena.

Although the official announcement has not yet been made by the club, Arruabarrena’s return is already considered almost certain within Boca circles. Negotiations have progressed significantly in recent days, and both parties are believed to have reached a full agreement on both sporting and financial terms, with only administrative details and the formal presentation remaining.

If finalized, Arruabarrena will begin his second spell as Boca’s head coach, a move that has generated excitement among supporters who fondly remember his successful first stint at the club. The board’s intention is for the new coaching staff to begin work ahead of preseason training, which is scheduled to start on June 18, when players are due to return to practice.

Meanwhile, the coach is finalizing logistical arrangements to travel to Argentina and complete the structure of his coaching staff. At the same time, internal evaluations of the first-team squad, potential signings, and the positions Boca hopes to strengthen for the second half of the season are already underway.

According to reports, Arruabarrena has already conducted an initial assessment of the squad and has begun outlining the tactical structure he intends to implement from the start of his tenure. The midfield appears to be one of the key areas around which the team’s rebuilding process will revolve.

The choice of the “Vasco” also represents a commitment to a figure who deeply understands the club’s identity. As a player, he left a significant mark wearing the blue and gold jersey, while as a coach he won titles and built a strong connection with a large portion of the fan base.

His first experience on Boca’s bench began in 2014 following the departure of Carlos Bianchi. During that spell, he won two trophies in 2015: the Argentine Primera División title and the Copa Argentina. In total, he managed 75 matches, recording 47 wins, 13 draws, and 15 defeats, numbers that gave him a win percentage of nearly 68%.

Now, more than a decade after that chapter, fate seems ready to reunite Boca with one of its familiar faces. All that remains is the official confirmation for Rodolfo Arruabarrena to put on the manager’s tracksuit once again and begin a new story at La Bombonera.

The question no longer seems to be whether he will become Boca’s next head coach. The real question is whether he can return the club to the level of prominence that its history demands.