Darío Franco

Darío Javier Franco Gatti (born 17 January 1969) is an Argentine football manager and former player who played as a midfielder. He is the current manager of Gimnasia Mendoza.

Playing career

Club Franco made his football debut in his native country, briefly playing with Newell's Old Boys before joining Spain's Real Zaragoza winning the 1994 Copa del Rey Final and the following season the 1995 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final against incumbent Champions and heavy favourites Arsenal F.C. He arrived in Mexico in 1995 to play for Atlas. After three years with the club, he was transferred to Monarcas Morelia, where he won the 2000 championship.

International He also played for Argentina's national team, and scored two goals in the 1991 Copa América, which Argentina won. In the 1993 edition, he was selected to replace the banned Claudio Caniggia, but was seriously injured in Argentina's first match.

Managerial career After his playing career ended, Franco became the manager of Tecos UAG. The president of the club fired him on Saturday, 18 August 2007, after Tecos lost 4–1 to Pachuca in their first game of the season and were then beaten 3–0 by Atlante F.C. in their third game. The only point he earned came from a 0–0 draw against Chivas de Guadalajara in the second game. In Clausura 2009, Franco managed Atlas. After their second game, a 4–0 defeat to Cruz Azul, Franco was fired and was replaced by Ricardo La Volpe.

Between 2010 and 2013, Franco managed San Martín de San Juan and Instituto. In 2013, Franco signed a contract with Universidad de Chile, but he was fired after six months.

Honours As Player Newell's Old Boys Argentine Primera División: 1990-91 Copa Libertadores runner-up: 1988

Real Zaragoza Copa del Rey: 1993-94 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1994-95

Monarcas Morelia Liga MX: 2000

Argentina Copa América: 1991, 1993 CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions: 1993

As Manager Universidad de Chile Copa Chile: 2012-13

Personal life He is the father of the footballers Emiliano, born in Spain, and David Franco, born in Mexico.