BUENOS AIRES.- Between football chants and applause, the fans of Boca Juniors This Friday he said goodbye to the remains of his deceased coach Miguel Ángel Russowho left for a cemetery after a wake at the La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, attended by hundreds of people.
The funeral caravan was greeted by excited fans who threw flowers at the passing car with the coffin wrapped in the flag of the club from the capital of Argentinaone of the most popular in America.
“Thank you Miguelo,” was repeated in the dozens of floral wreaths with which they honored the coach, who died on Wednesday at the age of 69, and who led 16 clubs in a career as helmsman of almost four decades.
The public wake had begun on Thursday morning and closed this Friday, a holiday in Argentina.
The final farewell to Russo, whose health had been weakened by the consequences of cancer diagnosed in 2017, will be intimate in a cemetery in the province of Buenos Aires.
Gonzalo Belloso, president of the Rosario Central club, in which the coach is idolized, anticipated that a tribute will be held on October 19 at the Santa Fe stadium.
“In the next Central game, against Platense, Miguel’s family will throw part of his ashes at the Gigante de Arroyito,” he said, without those close to the coach having confirmed this version.
“We will open the house wide so that Miguel returns and so that we can say goodbye to him as he deserves,” added the leader in dialogue with Cadena 3 de Rosario.
Latest orders
Among the technical director’s last wishes was to wear Boca Juniors clothing in his final hours and have part of his ashes scattered in different stadiums, according to sources cited by the local press.
The death of Russo, who as a footballer only defended Estudiantes de La Plata (1975-1988), has left South American football in mourning.
In an unusual event for football, the Argentine coach enjoyed the respect of his rivals and the adoration of a large part of the fans of the clubs he coached, thanks to having achieved very symbolic titles.
