Miguel Ángel Russo, longtime Boca Juniors coach, dies at 69

Miguel Ángel Russo, the three-time head coach of Boca Juniors and one of Argentine football's most experienced managers, has died at 69 after a long battle with cancer, the club announced Wednesday. Boca Juniors said Russo had been cared for at home in recent weeks as his health deteriorated; he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017 and returned to lead the club for a third spell this year before stepping back from daily duties.

"Boca Juniors announces the passing of Miguel Ángel Russo with profound sadness," the club posted on social media. "Miguel leaves an indelible mark on our institution and will always be an example of joy, warmth, and dedication. We are with his family and loved ones in this time of grief. Farewell, dear Miguel."

Russo accepted the coaching role in June and was on the bench for Boca's participation in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. He continued to oversee the team in the domestic league but took a leave of absence at the end of last month when his condition worsened. His final match in charge was on September 21 against Central Córdoba at La Bombonera. Since then, assistants Claudio Úbeda and Juvenal Rodríguez have managed the team.