Gerardo Acuña

Gerardo Rodolfo Acuña (born 18 December 1979) is an Argentine football manager and former player who played as a forward. He is the current manager of Estudiantes de Río Cuarto's reserve team.

Playing career Born in Morteros, Córdoba Province, Acuña played for hometown sides and 9 de Julio de Morteros before making his first team debut at the age of 15. After a failed trial at Boca Juniors, he subsequently represented Unión de Santa Fe and Atlético Rafaela, where he made his professional debut in Primera B Nacional in 2000.

After leaving Rafaela in 2002, Acuña returned to 9 de Julio. He would resume his playing career in the lower leagues, representing Ateneo Vecinos de General Cabrera (two stints), 9 de Julio again, Sportivo Belgrano, Tiro Federal de Morteros and 9 de Julio de Río Tercero. In 2011, aged 31, he suffered a serious knee injury while at Ateneo which led him to management. On 26 June of the following year, he was announced in charge of another club he represented as a player, Tiro Federal de Morteros.

On 11 December 2019, after being knocked out in the inaugural Torneo Regional Federal Amateur and narrowly avoiding relegation in the , Acuña left Tiro Federal. On 6 March 2020, he was named manager of 9 de Julio de Morteros.

On 6 February 2021, Acuña replaced at the helm of Estudiantes de Río Cuarto in the second division. On 6 September, after a poor run of form, he left by mutual consent.

On 29 October 2021, Acuña was appointed manager. He left the club in December 2023, and returned to 9 de Morteros shortly after.

On 26 January 2026, Acuña resigned from 9 de Julio, after two members from his technical staff died. He subsequently returned to Estudiantes as a manager of their reserve team.

On 15 March 2026, Acuña was named interim manager of Estudiantes, after Iván Delfino was sacked. Seven days later, despite suffering two losses in as many matches, he was confirmed as manager for the remainder of the Apertura tournament.

On 6 May 2026, Acuña ended his interim spell, after six winless matches.